PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County MoveOn Council will host its inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday.
The parade will be from noon to 1 p.m., with participants assembling at Pope Marine Plaza at Water and Madison streets in downtown Port Townsend.
“Just as St. Patrick rid Ireland of snakes, we hope to defang the vipers that are poisoning our democracy,” said Dianne Diamond, a MoveOn organizer.
“Participants are invited to come representing the snakes most guilty, be that Wall Street, perhaps a talk-show host or media mogul, oil conglomerates or corrupt politicians.
“These are just some possible targets for serpentine entries,” Diamond said.
Participants can bring banners, signs, dress in snake costumes or be part of a large snake construction, she said, along with lighter approaches, such as playing fiddle or Irish flutes, dancing or just wearing lots of green.
“Sometimes working on social and economic justice issues can get so serious; it can wear you down,” Diamond said.
“This is a way of expressing our concerns about the state of our country in a more joyful manner.”
The parade will wind through Port Townsend and end at the Chase triangle at Sims Way and Kearney Street.
Participants will choose the most scurrilous snake representation, with the winner receiving a subscription to Yes! magazine.
After the parade, those who wish will gather for a beer and chat at The Pour House on Washington at Decatur streets.
For more information, email moveonjeffco@ymail.com.