Longtime volunteer named St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal

After a decade as chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Extravaganza Committee, a longtime volunteer now will lead the actual parade.

Shawn Cleary was named grand marshal for this year’s event, which will be March 15 in downtown Sioux Falls.

Along with leading the committee the past 10 years, he has been part of it for the past 16 years and said it’s a highlight of his year.

“We all want to be able to celebrate our heritage,” Cleary said. “We’re all Americans, but we also want to honor our immigrant roots, our families and our cultural traditions. Many Irish families hold reunions this time of year. Really, it’s about helping people celebrate a day of joy and the arrival of spring.”

The 45th annual parade is often called “The People’s Parade,” in the spirit of founder Sylvia Henkin, who brought it to Sioux Falls. It’s free and open to the public. Anyone can enter a float or walk in the parade as long as they are registered or part of a registered group and are wearing an official St. Patrick’s Day Parade button.

Parade participation buttons cost $3 and are available in advance at 605 Running Co., The Cookie Jar and other downtown businesses. Buttons also can be purchased March 15 before the parade starts.

Ryan Murphy, chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza Committee, praised Cleary’s dedication.

“Nobody has given more of their time, talent and treasure to this event than Shawn,” Murphy said. “A big anniversary year deserves a hallmark grand marshal.”

Cleary was nominated for grand marshal by a group of former grand marshals.

Born in Dixon, Illinois, into a large Irish Catholic family of 11 children, Cleary grew up steeped in Irish traditions. He met his wife, Julie, through mutual friends at a pub while playing pool. An early career opportunity brought them to Sioux Falls in 1998 when Cleary began working as the operations manager for Dual Equipment. He later joined Alamo Group as the president of SMC Corp. and Tiger Mowers, retiring in November 2023 after 23 years.

Cleary has visited Ireland multiple times with his family, including for a family friend’s wedding and general sightseeing.

“There is no prettier place in the world than a clear day in Dingle Bay,” he said. “It’s the most picturesque place I’ve ever been. It’s also just a fun place — and the Guinness is good.”

Shawn and Julie have two sons, Corbin (Molly) and Nolan (Grace), and four grandchildren.

Beyond his family and career, Cleary has always prioritized giving back to the Sioux Falls community, serving on the boards of the Carroll Institute, Multi-Cultural Center, Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce’s ag division. He also leads the Sioux Falls Irish Club, which organized the annual Irish Fair for several years.

“All of us have an obligation to help our brothers and sisters in the world,” Cleary said. “Those of us who have been successful should be giving back because of that success.”

The parade, which brings together the regional community in celebration, typically features around 100 entries. Registration closes March 6 and is available at dtsf.com. Placement in the parade is on a first-come, first-served basis and at the discretion of parade officials. Each entry must incorporate an Irish theme. The website also includes detailed participation rules.

This year, St. Francis House, a nonprofit serving the homeless, will receive a portion of button sales. Each year, the committee partners with a nonprofit to support its mission.

Parade day events and route information:

• The traditional painting of the shamrock takes place at 11 a.m. March 15 in front of The First National Bank in Sioux Falls at Ninth Street and Phillips Avenue. This event is open to the public. Phillips will be closed between Ninth and 10th streets at 10:45 a.m.
• The parade starts at 2 p.m. at Phillips and 13th Street, heading north to Second Street. Streets adjacent to the route close at 1:30 p.m., and parking on Phillips is restricted starting late Saturday morning. Parade staging begins at 12:30 p.m. on Main and Dakota avenues between 11th and 13th streets.

Additional parade day festivities include:

• The Paint Sioux Falls Green initiative will light up in green the Big Sioux River, Arc of Dreams, Eighth Street Bridge, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and other locations on parade day and St. Patrick’s Day.
• Lucky 7’s Run Series: The 1-mile, 5-mile and 5K runs kick off on parade day, with the 1-mile race beginning at 1:55 p.m. on Phillips at 12th Street. Race details and registration are available here.
• The Vanguard Squadron, an ethanol-powered stunt plane team, will perform a flyby at the start of the parade, weather permitting.

The parade is made possible through contributions from sponsors Avera Health; Burwell Enterprises; Davenport Evans; First Premier Bank; Security National Bank; Xcel Energy; Dakota Beverage; Hagen, Wilka & Archer Law; The First National Bank in Sioux Falls; and State Farm – Tate Teveldal.