Alexis Ann Named Grand Marshal of the Mystic Irish Parade
Editor and Publisher of The Resident Leads 17th Annual Parade on March 22, 2020
From Left to right: Chief Fritz Hilbert 2019 Grand Marshal, Alexis Ann 2020 Grand Marshal, Rob Valenti 2018 Grand Marshal and the Mystic Irish Parade Board of Directors
Mystic, CT– As the Irish say, “Capall an tsaoil an grá,” which means “Love makes the world go around!” On March 22nd 2020, family and friends from near and far will join together as one community to celebrate this love, hope & Celtic culture at the 17th Annual Mystic Irish Parade!
Not only is the parade Mystic’s largest landmark event and one of the Southeastern CT region’s most prominent, it is also one of the state’s most renowned and celebrated Celtic cultural events! The Sunday afternoon festivities will begin at the Mystic Seaport and journey downtown, concluding at the Mystic Arts Center. Over 32,000 people will fill the streets of Mystic for celebration and observance of the Irish holiday of St. Patrick’s Day!
In special commemoration of the 17th year, the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation is honored to have Alexis Ann, editor & publisher of The Resident, officially named to serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2020 Mystic Irish Parade! This honor is bestowed to an exceptional member of Eastern Connecticut who dedicates time, energy and effort into giving back to their local community each day.
A U.S. Army-trained journalist with an entrepreneurial spirit, Alexis Ann launched Alexis Advertising in 1982 and The Resident in 1990, intent on creating a quality publication that focused on “good news about people doing good things in our communities.” Today, The Resident reaches 64 communities.
“My Irish Ancestors must be smiling ear-to-ear!,” says Ann. “My grandfather, Tom Mahoney, was a firefighter in Milford Connecticut. He unfortunately suffered a tragic death on the way to a fire. I dedicate this honor to him.”
Ann, whose publication focuses good news about people doing good things in our communities, continued, “I would like to thank the parade committee members who have grown this parade to be the most popular in our two-state region! I am so grateful to accept the honor of being Grand Marshal for 2020—the FIRST of a new decade! Let’s make it a visionary experience!”
“Alexis is a true success story and an amazing asset to our Southeastern Connecticut community,” said Neil Ryan, Vice President of the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation. “Against all odds, Alexis managed to not only start a small paper in the 90’s, but grow ‘The Resident’ to where it would survive and thrive for years to come. She endured and adapted while others failed to change, and her success in journalism is now a staple in our community.
Along the way, she has also helped countless non-profit organizations and has mentored many individuals to help them achieve their dreams and goals as well. I’m honored to have someone that I have worked so closely with for the last 27 years be the 2020 Grand Marshal and I’m looking forward to seeing her lead the Mystic Irish Parade on Sunday, March 22nd!”
For more information about this year’s events, sponsorship opportunities, registration for the parade or volunteering, please visit www.mysticirishparade.org.