Grand Marshal Nomination Guidelines

Each year, the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle honors an outstanding individual as Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Week celebrations. The Grand Marshal serves as the symbolic leader of the parade and represents the heart and spirit of Seattle’s Irish and Irish-American community throughout Irish Week.

Eligibility

Nominees should be individuals who:

• Have made significant contributions to promoting Irish culture, heritage, and community life in the Pacific Northwest.
• Can serve as a positive ambassador for the Irish Heritage Club and the broader Irish-American community.
• Are available to participate in multiple Irish Week events, including the Mayor’s Proclamation Lunch, The Painting of The Green Stripe, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Emerald City Irish Film Festival, The Irish Festival Seattle.

Both Irish-born individuals and those of non-Irish heritage who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting Irish culture or strengthening connections between Ireland and the United States are eligible for consideration

Selection Criteria

1. Alignment with the annual Irish Week Theme:  Strong Preference will be given to nominees who have a connection to the annual Irish Week Theme
2. Support of Irish Week and St. Patrick’s Day Traditions: Has shown consistent support for Irish Week, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or other Irish Heritage Club events through participation, sponsorship, or volunteerism
3. Significant Contribution to the Irish or Irish-American Community of Seattle: Demonstrated leadership or long-term involvement in promoting Irish culture, heritage, or community life in the Pacific Northwest.
4. Irish Heritage Figure in Arts, Sports, or Entertainment Who Can Elevate Irish Week Visibility: Has achieved notable success in the arts, sports, entertainment, media, or creative industries, and who can help the Irish Heritage Club promote the Parade and Irish Week activities through their public profile, storytelling, or community engagement.
5. Public Service and Civic Engagement: Contributed meaningfully to public service, education, business, entertainment or civic life in ways that align with the Irish Heritage Club’s mission.
6. Positive Role Model and Community Leader: Serves as an inspiration to others and can represent the Irish Heritage Club and the Irish Community with dignity and enthusiasm.

Note: Nominees do not need to meet all of the above criteria.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be submitted by any member of the Irish Heritage Club or the broader community and should include:

• The nominee’s name and contact information
• A short biographical summary
• A statement (up to 300 words) describing how the nominee meets the above criteria

Submit nominations by December 20th to Nominations@irishclub.org with the subject line:
“202x Grand Marshal Nomination – [Nominee’s Name]”

Nominees will be voted on by The Irish Heritage Club Board during the first week of January

Honorary Grand Marshal 

The Honorary Grand Marshal is awarded to an individual who has made a consistent, exceptional contribution that has positively impacted Seattle’s Irish community or advanced Irish culture and heritage in the region.

Selection Criteria

1. Outstanding Accomplishment: Recognizes an individual for a significant achievement in public service, culture, business, education, music, arts, sports, or community leadership that has benefited the Irish community in Seattle.
2. Meaningful Contribution to Irish Seattle: The nominee’s work, initiative, or ongoing impact must have directly strengthened, supported, or elevated the Irish community or Irish cultural life in the Pacific Northwest.
3. Positive Representation of Irish Culture: The individual should reflect the values, spirit, and goodwill of the Irish community and serve as a positive representative during parade and ceremonial activities.

The Nomination Process for Hon Grand Marshal should mirror that of The Grand Marshal