2025 Grand Marshal Catharine Wieck, left, waves to the crowd during Iowa’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16, in downtown Dysart. Also pictured, Dysart City Councilor Jenn Alpers. This was the fourth year for the annual wee parade. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – For the fourth straight year, Dysart’s annual ‘Iowa’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade’ proceeded down exactly one block of Main Street beginning (and ending shortly thereafter) at noon last Sunday.

Like last year, the wee event was moved up a day from St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) in order to accommodate more people’s schedules.

The ‘participation parade’ was again buffeted by wicked winds – this time from the northwest – making the low-40 temperatures feel much colder.

As has become customary, parade organizer Mayor Tim Glenn struck the appropriate chord wearing a tartan kilt, green knee-high stockings, green top hat, and striped green scarf all while carrying a golf iron. To the disappointment of some (perhaps?!), he opted out of the dyed orange beard he has sported in previous parades.

The front of the parade this year featured two law enforcement vehicles including Dysart Police Officer Jeremy Stenda in his cruiser driving alongside Dysart resident Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt and members of his family in the new sheriff vehicle.

The fourth annual ‘Iowa’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade’ heads down exactly one block of Main Street last Sunday, March 16. Those pictured holding the 2025 Grand Marshal banner include sisters Maecy and Natalie Schmidt of Dysart who were following behind their dad, Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt (not pictured) leading the parade in his new sheriff vehicle. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Retired educator and volunteer extraordinaire Catharine Wieck — whom Mayor Glenn described as a “community cornerstone” — was honored as the parade’s Grand Marshal, riding and waving from a St. Patrick’s Day-bedecked golf cart driven by Dysart City Councilor Jenn Alpers.

Plenty of families lined up to watch the parade from both the sidewalks and their vehicles (it was cold!) including Soule Shop & Spa owners, mother and daughter Kristi Holst and Kortlyn Frush who helped Frush’s toddler son Holt enjoy the festivities in front of their Main Street shop.

Later, Holt enjoyed dancing on the sidewalk in front of Harper’s Public House to recorded bagpipe music, proving no amount of cold nor wind will ever stop Iowa’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade participants from enjoying the ‘paddy.’

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Parade organizer, Dysart Mayor Tim Glenn pictured on Main Street last Sunday following the completion of his community’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade affectionately dubbed Iowa’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER