Ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, Mary Fischer was crowned Miss Shamrock earlier this week in St. Paul.

With Todd Hurley as Mr. Pat, the two represent the king and queen of the popular parade held in downtown St. Paul, as well as ambassadors for our community’s Irish culture and heritage as part of St. Patrick’s Association Inc., the nonprofit organization that hosts the parade.

Here are six things to know about our green queen:

She’s a lifelong St. Paul resident

“So I was born and raised in St. Paul and grew up going to the parade,” Fischer says.

To a kid watching on the sidelines, Miss Shamrock seemed like a storybook character with her sparkly crown and green cape.

“That was always my little-girl dream, to be queen,” says Fischer. “I didn’t think I would run, but this year, some of my friends were talking about it because we were talking about St. Patrick’s Day season, and I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll try for it.’ And I did!”

She never really considered running for that other royal role in St. Paul: Aurora, Queen of the Snows of the St. Paul Winter Carnival.

“During Winter Carnival, my family’s really big on the Treasure Hunt,” Fischer says with a laugh.

She has Irish roots

What are the qualifications to be Miss Shamrock?

“You have to be at least 21 years old and you have to be a little Irish,” Fischer says.

She’s definitely a little Irish.

“I am Irish on my dad’s side, from my grandma on his side,” says Fischer. “I think my family came over with a lot of people during the Great Famine.”

Her mom’s heritage is French and Polish, but she’s OK with having a Shamrock Queen in the family.“My mom is very supportive,” Fischer said.

She sold a lot of buttons

It’s not just about wearing a crown.

To raise funds for the parade and charities, the candidates — there were five this year — spent six weekends leading up to St. Patrick’s Day at local watering holes, selling commemorative buttons for $5 each.

Fischer recalls selling 50 to 75 buttons on her first outing; she lost track after that, but she says she sold a lot of buttons. Her booster spiel was successful, that she knows.

“I ask them if they’d ever been to the parade before,” she says.

Many of them have, but they don’t necessarily know that this is an event produced for the community by volunteers.

“The city doesn’t put it on, it’s an all-volunteer group,” Fischer says. “We’re 100 percent fundraising and then we have some sponsors and it all goes to the parade.”

Also, excess funds are donated to local charities, which Fischer says impressed the button buyers.

In addition to fundraising, the candidates also got to know the community, visiting schools and nursing homes and supporting food shelves.

She loves St. Paul

Fischer, the daughter of Steven and Theresa Fischer, is one of eight children. She grew up on the East Side of St. Paul and, after graduating from Saint Agnes School in 2022, she began attending the University of St. Thomas before making a switch.

“Absolutely loved St. Thomas, it was such an amazing fit, but I’m paying for my own school, so now I’m going to Oregon State, I’m doing an online degree,” she says.

She’s still living in St. Paul, though, still with her college community and friends, while she studies conservation and works a seasonal job at Rainbow Treecare.

“I just absolutely love St. Paul,” she says. “St. Paul is one of my favorite places ever.”

Events like the parade and the Irish Fair of Minnesota are two examples why.

“There’s this sense of community, that people care about their Irish heritage,” she says. “And, even if they’re not Irish, they’re still there to show support … the parade has always felt like a strong community builder, I remember thinking that even at a young age.”

She’s got green spirit

Amid the bagpipes and the Irish dancing, Fischer was crowned at the Minnesota Music Cafe on Tuesday.

It was a surprise to her, she says, as the crown was placed on her head. In combination with the bright lights and the rush of people around her, it was a moment she’ll likely never forget.

“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, is it really happening?’” she says.

It was!

Why was Fischer selected to wear the crown?

“Mary Fischer embodies the spirit of Miss Shamrock with her dedication to community, her warm and welcoming presence and her deep appreciation for Irish heritage,” said Hayden Kilkenny, president of the St. Patrick’s Association, in a statement to the Pioneer Press. “Her enthusiasm and leadership make her a perfect ambassador for the St. Patrick’s Association, and we’re thrilled to have her representing us this year.”

Todd Hurley, the CEO and president of the St. Paul Port Authority who is serving as Mr. Pat this year, agrees.

“Mary Fischer is the heart and soul of what it means to be Miss Shamrock — she’s got the kindness, the charisma and the passion for bringing people together,” Hurley said. “She’s not just representing Irish pride; she’s living it through her community spirit and the joy she shares with everyone she meets. I can’t think of a better person to wear the crown this year!”

Serving as gratitude

On Monday — St. Patrick’s Day — Fischer’s day will start with an early morning television appearance. She and Mr. Pat will also tap the first keg of Guinness at Bennett’s, followed by attending Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul and then it’s off to the parade, which starts at noon.

(The parade will travel along Fifth Street in downtown St. Paul, running from Rice Park at Fifth and Market Streets to Mears Park at Fifth and Sibley Streets.)

While the party will continue at CHS Field after the parade, look for the Shamrock Queen and Mr. Pat at other events this year, including community parades.

For Fischer, volunteering as Miss Shamrock is a kind of thank you to our city.

“St. Paul is the community that raised me,” she says. “I feel like this is my part, my way of giving back to the community.”

More info about the parade and the nonprofit that hosts it is at stpatsmn.org.