Local Girl Creates New St. Patrick's Day Mascot

A 9-year-old girl from Bay Head, Patty O'Furniture, has created a new St. Patrick's Day mascot. "Shamrock Man," is a delightful little character that will soon be festooning many St. Patrick's Day celebrations. "When my mom told me that soon we wouldn't be able to decorate with leprechauns, I was pretty disappointed. That's why I decided to create Shamrock Man," said Patty.

Earlier this year, greeting card giant, Hallmark, was able to successfully trademark both the image and term "leprechaun". A representative from Hallmark, Erin Gobrah, says that it was a good business move for the company. "Trademarking of this sort has become a common practice," said Gobrah. "For example, the National Football League makes sure that their championship game is called the "Big Game" and not that term that rhymes with 'Blooper Soul'. The NFL goes to great lengths to protect their trademark. Violators can face penalties of as much as10 years in prison and fines of $500K just for uttering the protected name.  Now we will be able to protect the image of that beloved personification of St. Patrick's Day, the little man known for hanging around rainbows and hiding a pot of gold. Plus, it will provide our company with a huge revenue stream for years to come!"

This St. Patrick's Day the leprechaun trademark will not be enforced, but Hallmark fully intends to crack down starting next year. Young Patty O'Furniture is hopeful that her creation can fill the void. "Not everyone will be able to afford to pay to use leprechauns next year, so maybe Shamrock Man will become a popular substitute," said O'Furniture. She already convinced Point Pleasant Borough to use her design to decorate certain areas.


Erin Gobrah says that Hallmark isn't worried about competition from Shamrock Man. "Young Patty O'Furniture has created a great St. Patrick's Day mascot, but we believe that people still love leprechauns," she said. 

Patty O'Furniture is just happy that her creation will be part of St. Patrick's Day. "I hope everyone enjoys it. And even though Lucky Charms has offered to buy Shamrock Man, I promise I won't sell... unless they start talking seven figures."

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