By 
The grand marshals for this weekend’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade have decidedly non-Irish names.
The Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced retired teachers and debate coaches Bill and Cathy Zubke will serve as grand marshals.
Known by most people as “BZ” and “CZ,” they will be the first couple to serve as grand marshals of the parade. Last year featured multiple grand marshals: members of the Watertown Shamrocks hockey team.
Bill Zubke said people shouldn’t worry about his German-Slavic sounding surname.
“When my ancestors went through Ellis Island, they dropped the O’ from their name,” he said.
That, however, was a typical BZ gag. His relatives were definitely not O’Zubkes.
Zubke is well-known for his brightly colored attire, but he said he hasn’t decided what he’ll wear for the parade. His favorite color – bright orange – probably won’t be included, however.
“I do have a nice pair of lime-green sneakers,” he said.
He said he and CZ have been practicing their “parade waves.” The couple will be riding in a convertible, which he said would not be their first choice.
“We would rather ride on a nice big flatbed while sitting on Paddy O’Furniture.”
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at noon on Saturday, March 14, at Immaculate Conception Church. The parade will travel west on First Avenue to First Street, then turn right to Kemp Avenue. The route then goes east on Kemp Ave. and ends at Watertown Area Community Foundation Plaza.
The parade is just one of several Chamber-sponsored events happening Saturday. The day kicks off with a Knights of Columbus Pancake Feed from 9 a.m. to noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall (219 First Ave. SE). The Run for the Gold 5K walk/run begins at 10 a.m. at Dempsey’s Pub (127 N. Broadway), with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Participants can also preregister through the Prairie Lakes Wellness Center.
This year will also feature the Little Miss Shamrock & Mr. Leprechaun Contest at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Live music begins at 10:30 a.m. with crowning ceremonies slated for 11 a.m.
Following the parade, the St. Paddy’s Pet Contest will be held at Happy Tails K-9 Training and Supplies (208 E. Kemp Ave.).
The day caps off with the 11th annual Krusher Krawl, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Wobbly Penguin (21 N. Maple). Registration is at 5:30 p.m.
Revelers can also purchase St. Patrick’s Day buttons to be entered into a drawing for prizes, including $500 in Chamber Bucks and many other items. Drawings will be held March 17 at the Watertown Shamrocks game and broadcast live on the Chamber’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/watertownchamber).
