Four Inane Questions with KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade President Vanessa Prewitt

Courtesy of Vanessa Prewitt

Think you’re busy this week? Try telling that to Vanessa Prewitt. She’s the president of Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s Board of Directors, and she’s up to her eyeballs in pre-raucous revelry.

The annual parade has been going strong for 50 years and is purported to be the second largest St. Pat’s parade in the U.S. According to the parade website, 1999 was rumored to be one of the parade’s largest turnouts with an estimated 400,000 parade-goers in attendance. 

Once described as “Kansas City’s Mardi Gras,” the beloved event is organized and staffed by a group of volunteers devoted to providing Kansas City with a family-oriented parade, celebrating the Irish heritage of Kansas City and its citizens.

We caught up with Prewitt a few days before this year’s festivities commenced. We’re pretty sure she brought her own keg of Guinness with her. Bless. 

The Pitch: Out of all the color variations of green in the universe, what’s your favorite? 

Vanessa Prewitt: Kelly green! Because it’s the signature color of my people, it goes fabulously with my second favorite color, hot pink. And, most importantly, I look stunning in kelly green.

What’s the longest you’ve ever waited to be seated at a restaurant? And was it worth it? 

That’s a tough one! If it’s a special occasion, I typically make reservations. But, on burger night at my favorite Walsh’s Corner Cocktail, we had to wait almost 15 minutes once and it was—and always will be—worth it!

What’s one item you’ve always wanted to spend an obscene amount of money and splurge on?

I desperately want a tiara. I saw a used pageant tiara in an antique mall and really tried to justify the purchase. It was glorious. It was at least eight inches tall at the center. It had kelly green jewels. 

I pictured myself vacuuming and mopping in it, like a Cinderella-type situation. I couldn’t convince my husband that I would do more housework if I owned the tiara.

What non-Irish celebrity does a really good (or decent) Irish accent?

I’ve got to say Norman Reedus in Boondock Saints. Such a dark character that he portrayed beautifully.

Bonus 5th Question: What’s the secret to really, really good Irish coffee?

The secret is to enjoy an Irish coffee with really good friends. And fresh whipped cream! None of that canned business!