NATCHEZ &045;&045; Participants in the Krewe of Killarney’s 14th St. Patrick’s Day parade were remembering the past and starting new futures.

For Lynn Britt, daughter of Clarence Eyrich the third St. Patrick of the parade, the day was an emotional one. Britt said she comes every year in memory of her father.

&uot;I’m the only family member still here today,&uot; Britt said. &uot;It is a very special day. I still have relatives in Ireland.&uot;

For one-year-old Thomas Geoghan the parade was a first of what is likely to become a tradition. &uot;He threw beads and had a ball,&uot; grandmother Linda Geoghan said. &uot;It’s a fun get together and a good time for fun.&uot;

Former parade St. Patrick’s marched in the parade and celebrated the day together.

&uot;There are nine still living,&uot; said Richard Durkin, the ninth St. Patrick. &uot;We are all together for today.&uot;

The parade started in 1991 and Frank Byrne was the first St. Patrick.

This year’s St. Patrick, Joe Garrity, led the krewe down Main Street to the bluff where they cast out the snakes at the gazebo.

Parade participant J.J. Whitehead said his favorite part was the casting out of the snakes.

&uot;I can go home and I don’t have to worry about getting snake bit,&uot; Whitehead said. &uot;I’ve been walking in this for 10 years and I’m not going to miss it this year.&uot;

Spectators included many visitors to Natchez due to pilgrimage.

Sisters Norma Hopkins and Laverne Neihart brought their husbands down to find warm weather. Hopkins lives in Michigan and Neihart is from Wyoming.

&uot;We found out there was a parade and we’ve been sitting here waiting,&uot; Neihart said. &uot;I’m Irish and it sounded like fun.&uot;