Tyrrell County folks who love a parade are invited to participate in, or just come and watch, what is heralded as the largest in North Carolina.

The 29th Annual Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for Sunday, March 18, at 1 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Red, White and Blue . . . with a splash of Green!” to celebrate American patriotism and Irish-American heritage.

The parade will also honor the memory of Ernie Bridgers of South Nags Head, an integral part of the parade for many years.

All are invited to join in! The one-mile parade route runs from Bladen St. (MP 11.5) north to Driftwood St. on Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Rd.).

Judges will score entrants on the use of the parade theme in the following categories: Best Overall, Best Float, Best Unit, and Best Band/Music group. Prizes will be awarded following the parade.

To participate as a parade entrant, an application will need to be submitted. Parade applications can be downloaded from kellysrestaurant.com.

Contact parade director Mary Ann Newman at kellysrestaurant@earthlink.net or 252-441-4116 to have an application sent to you or to volunteer along the parade route.

What began as a way to break up the winter doldrums and to invigorate the community in preparation for the summer season, the parade has grown to include over one-hundred entrants and viewed by over eight thousand attendees.