Local Educators Named Grand Marshals for 2026 Watertown St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Steve Jurrens
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce has officially announced that long-time local educators Bill and Cathy Zubke will serve as the Grand Marshals for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The announcement was made during the Chamber’s weekly radio segment on Northeast Radio SD, where the couple jokingly referred to their "O'Zubke" heritage while sharing stories of their deep roots in the Watertown community.
A Legacy of Education and Community
Both Bill and Cathy began their teaching careers in Watertown in 1972, dedicating decades to the local school system. Their selection continues a tradition started in 2015 of honoring influential community figures with Irish ties—or at least an Irish spirit.
"Seven of the nominees that came in ahead of us have all died, so we are the Grand Marshals this year," Bill joked during the interview. "It was fun, it’s a wonderful honor. It did cause us to go back and check our heritage... I can tell you that I am 11% Irish, and I think it’s everything from the chin up."
The Zubkes shared fond memories of their travels to Ireland, including visiting the Blarney Castle and the Guinness Factory in Dublin. Cathy, however, admitted she isn't a fan of the famous stout.
"I don’t like Guinness," Cathy noted. "But you have it because you're there. And it's great to cook with!"
A Day Full of Festivities
The St. Patrick’s Day celebration, scheduled for Saturday, March 14, promises a full slate of activities for all ages:
· 9:00 AM: Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast at the KC Hall.
· 10:30 AM: Live music by Tom Beadnell and the Little Miss Shamrock & Mr. Leprechaun contest.
· 11:30 AM: Parade lineup begins at the IC Church.
· 12:00 PM: Parade kickoff, traveling through downtown.
· Post-Parade: The 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pet Contest at Happy Tails and a meet-and-greet with the Grand Marshals at the Watertown Home Show.
"Lucky Mix 2026" Raffle and Pub Crawl
Chamber Director of Community Engagement Ashley Johnson highlighted this year’s "Lucky Mix" raffle buttons. For $5 (or 5 for $20), participants can win prizes including $500 in Watertown Bucks, an Apple Watch, an electric scooter, and more.
The festivities will culminate in the 11th Annual Kampeska Krushers Crusher Crawl, starting at 5:30 PM at the Wobbly Penguin.
