By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
For the first time ever, Clare’s famous Irish Parade will have a posthumous Grand Marshall.
Darren Acton, who wore many Civic Hats throughout his life in the Clare Community and “volunteered” for a multitude of events and fundraisers, will be Clare’s 48th Grand Marshal, but not in person, of the many Irish Festival Events and for the parade. He will be represented at the parade and many events by his family members. He died on February 24th last year.
Clare Mayor Pat Humphrey said, “Grand Marshall is a fitting honor to bestow on Darren. When he was asked to help out in an event, Darren was the first to arrive and the last to leave. The Irish Festival. always being his favorite.”
A life-long member of the Community and a graduate of Clare Schools, Darren was a member of the Clare City Planning Commission for more than 15 years and both Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission several times. He was a primary innovator and fundraiser for the Imagination Gateway Playscape at Brookwood Park; a member of the Clare Jaycees; a member of the Clare United Methodist Church; a member of the Gateway Community Band, The Scottville Clown Band and a member of the Clare Band Boosters organization, volunteering to haul instruments to festivals.
An expert skier, he was a Level 3 Instructor for the PROFESSIONAL Ski instructors of America for over 20 years, an instructor for the Snow Snake Mountain Ski School and a member of the Clare Ski Team’s Parent Booster Organization.
His “soulmate” Jen Ferry added that Darren was a member of the Chamber and a fundraiser for Summerfest fireworks and for the Rubber Duckie Races. She reported that he was a founding member of the Gateway Community Band and “the Chip behind Chipper Entertainment and Comedy Nights around Central Michigan for over 25 years.
With the Clare Irish festival “just around the corner” the Chamber is putting together a great festival for 2022 with almost all of the traditional events and few brand new ones. Watch for a full schedule including dates, times and locations in the coming weeks. Remember the Irish Festival begins in just over one month. March 16-20.
Entry forms are available at the Chamber or online at www.clareirishfestival.com for Irish Festival events including the Craft Show and Marketplace; the Irish Parade; the Bed Races; the Irish Festival 5K/10K and Two Mile Walk and Free Kids Fun Run; The Pet Photo Contest; the Irish Recipe Contest; and the Irish Fest Craft Show and Marketplace.
Other returning events include:
- The annual Business After Hours sponsored by Merchantile Bank;
*Big Brothers – Big Sisters annual Auction;
*Gateway Community Band and Chorus Irish Concert;
*Witbeck’s Annual Leprechaun Contest;
*The Clare Area Pilots Association Parade Flyover;
*The Kathy Rynearson Memorial Food Drive;
*The Scottsville Clown Band in the parade and performing live;
*Entertainment and Irish cuisine at local businesses;
*The White Pine Bag Pipers;
*The Primary School Poster Contest;
*The Irish Festival Raffle; and
*The Primary School Poster Contest.
New this year will be a window decorating contest; Irish Festival T-shirts, a Food Truck Caravan downtown; and multiple warm-up firepits downtown all weekend long.