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The resurrection of this Kansas City legacy did not occur until 1973. In 1973 a group of friends meeting for a quick (or otherwise) drink and a bit of conversation at Hogerty's Cocktail Lounge in downtown Kansas City decided a Parade downtown was just what the City needed; and so it began again. Radio talk show host Mike Murphy, P.R. person Pat O'Neill, SR. and local saloon keeper Dan Hogerty's brainstorm came alive in Kansas City.
Daniel Hogerty, saloon keeper (wearing the sandwich board),
staged a small parade as a stunt to lure more patrons to his tavern.
March 15, 1974. Photo courtesy of Pat O'Neill, Jr.
On Friday March 15, 1974 Daniel Thomas Hogerty led a St. Patrick's Day parade of secretaries, businessmen and shoppers on what would again become a Kansas City Tradition. The block and one half parade route led from the Continental Hotel back to Hogerty's lounge, of course. Billed as "the world's shortest and worst parade" it drew hundreds of people to what became a downtown street party in the 1200 block of Baltimore.
By 1976 Hogerty, O'Neill, Murphy and friends were joined by the honorable Mayor Charles Wheeler and the parade featured a painted green calf along with several dogs and a goat. The City graciously parked a trash truck on Baltimore Avenue to collect the empty beer bottles.
The Parade was threatened with respectability in 1977. The presence of four floats, marching units from local Catholic High Schools, bag pipers and an extended route as well as television coverage lent the Parade a hint of credibility. Murphy vowed "no one would ever bring class to the Parade". As long as he had anything to do with it (the Parade) it would remain "odd". This was the year the Ancient Order of Hibernians returned to the Parade. The Ancient Order of Hibernians were organized in Kansas City in the 1870's and participated quite grandly in the early Parades. The present day Hibernians descend from the original Parade entrants of the 1800's.
By 1978 the crowd viewing the Parade grew to 35,000. Schools sanctioned their students' entry in the event and the route wound over nine blocks through narrow downtown streets. Once again Dan Hogerty led the Parade. In 1979 the route was moved to the Loose Park, mid-town area and ended in Westport. Organizers, participants and onlookers alike soon realized the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade belongs downtown. Much to everyone's delight, the Parade returned downtown the next year.
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