Kelly Grogan named Grand Marshal for annual St. Patrick's Day parade

The Grogan family legacy continues as Kelly Grogan leads the 46th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Sioux Falls.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Kelly Grogan, a retired Sioux Falls firefighter and co-owner of a local restaurant, has been named the Grand Marshal for the 46th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Sioux Falls. Grogan's family, which includes over 125 members descended from Irish immigrants, has a long history with the parade, with his mother and older brother previously serving as Grand Marshals.

Why it matters

The Grogan family's involvement in the St. Patrick's Day parade highlights the enduring Irish heritage and community pride in Sioux Falls. As a longtime public servant and local business owner, Kelly Grogan's selection as Grand Marshal recognizes his contributions to the city.

The details

Kelly Grogan served as a firefighter for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2014. He was known for teaching CPR and helping to introduce the PulsePoint app to the community. Today, Grogan and his wife Tania are part-owners of their family-run restaurant, Roots of Brasil. Grogan's mother, who passed away in 2005, was the one who made sure the family participated in the parade every year to honor their Irish ancestry.

  • The 46th annual St. Patrick's Day parade will take place on March 14, 2026.
  • Kelly Grogan's mother served as Grand Marshal in 2001.
  • Kelly Grogan's older brother led the parade as Grand Marshal in 2019.

The players

Kelly Grogan

A retired Sioux Falls firefighter and co-owner of the family-run restaurant Roots of Brasil.

Tania de Oliveira Grogan

Kelly Grogan's wife and co-owner of Roots of Brasil.

Cleo Grogan

Kelly Grogan's late mother, who raised all 11 of her children on her own after her husband's death and ensured the family participated in the St. Patrick's Day parade.

Wally Grogan

Kelly Grogan's late father, who passed away at the age of 48 when Kelly was a child.

Hugh Grogan

Kelly Grogan's brother, who served as the Grand Marshal for the St. Patrick's Day parade in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“The Grogan family is a stalwart of our parade. When you look at Kelly specifically, all the different ways he's helped the Sioux Falls community through his career and giving back, he's a wonderful selection for Grand Marshal.”

— Ryan Murphy, St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza Committee chair (argusleader.com)

“(My) mom was the one who made sure we knew it was our responsibility to be part of the parade. It was important to follow our ancestry and family history and keep that Irish pride.”

— Kelly Grogan (argusleader.com)

“Being Irish has influenced who we are and our outlook on life.”

— Hugh Grogan, Kelly Grogan's brother (argusleader.com)

What’s next

The St. Patrick's Day parade will take place on March 14, 2026, with Kelly Grogan leading the procession as Grand Marshal.

The takeaway

The Grogan family's long-standing involvement in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Sioux Falls demonstrates the enduring importance of Irish heritage and community traditions in the city. Kelly Grogan's selection as Grand Marshal honors his public service and family's legacy.