From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for March 18, 1988:

In spite of yesterday’s wintry weather and slushy snowfall, about 1,500 spectators had turned out to watch the first Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day parade. Parade-watchers saw about 45 floats and other entries march in the 2.4-mile parade, which had wended its way from the Flamingo Club, 501 W. Ninth, to the Jet Lag Lounge, 610 Florida. “I’m a big parade lover,” said Mayor Mike Amyx. “I think we should have done this a long time ago. It’s good for community spirit.” The parade had been led by “Grand Leprechaun” Bill Sullivan, accompanied by official parade chaplain Rev. Pete O’Sullivan and Irish-born Maurice O’Shaughnessy. Kansas University sophomore Rhonda Daniels served as Lawrence’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen. Top prize was awarded to a float from Becerros restaurant, 2515 W. Sixth, with the award for best costume going to John Scrubbs, who rode on the Jennings Daylight Donut Shop float dressed as a green-clad Pope.