Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch

The hum of bagpipes filled the air as various musicians from the Lion Rampant Pipes and Drums band walked toward the stage. Within the parade line were dogs, big and small, dressed in green and ready to impress.

The Lucky Dog Parade, one of the favorite features each year at the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Irish Celtic Festival, had just begun. Both the dogs and the bagpipes, as always, were hits.

The event was held March 7 at the Greenbrook Adventure Park. 

"It was beautiful day in Lakewood Ranch for everyone," said Leslie Jones, a bagpiper in the Lion Rampant Pipes and Drums band. "The audience appreciated our music and many stopped by to visit and thank the musicians." 

The Cox family — which includes Niki, Kevin and their two sons, Dylan and Jayce, — have attended for the last four years. 

"We look forward to it every year," Niki Cox said. "It’s a fun way to celebrate our heritage with our children. We love all the fun outfits, music, dancing and the cutest dog parade."

Greyhawk Landing's Cindy Jacuk attended the event to be part of the Lucky Dog Parade with her 2-year-old soft-coated Wheaten terrier, Oliver. She came with the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Greater Tampa Bay.

"We were all very excited to walk our Wheatens in the parade," Jacuk said. "There is nothing not to love about the event. The music, dancing, bagpipes, and parade were all great."