St. Patrick's Day Parades New York
St. Pat's: NYC, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Buffalo & Rochester
New York City is home to the oldest, most historic and largest Saint Patrick's Day Parade honoring the patron saint of Ireland.
Mid-March brings milder weather and a proliferation of St. Patrick's Day parades across the nation. The holiday is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Irish and people who enjoy parties and green beer.
St. Patrick's Day is a Irish holiday with religious origins. St. Patrick lived in Ireland about 1600 years ago. Sometime after the Catholic immigrants from Ireland arrived in America, they organized parades as a show of political power, "The Green Machine." Vestiges of the religious origins and political history can still be detected in the Irish parades. Parades across the land are largely seen as an opportunity to drink green beer and Irish Whiskey with pals. Hearty plates of corned beef and cabbage and bowls of Irish stew will be served in restaurants .Shamrocks, leprechauns and marching bands add to the festivities. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.
Following are some of the St. Patrick's Day parades in New York this year.
- New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, Monday, March 17, 10 am to about 4 pm: The New York St. Patrick's Day parade, first held in 1762 is the original, the oldest and the longest running St. Pat's event held in the United States. The Big Apple St. Pat's Parade boasts of being the biggest in the world. The original Manhattan parade was held in 1762,. The Declaration of Independence was adopted 16 years later. the Big Apple parade is held in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York. The theme of this year's parade is "Tribute to the 'Fighting 69th Infantry', New York Army National Guard: The Parade will be reviewed from the steps of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, by His Eminence Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York. Cardinal Egan will lead participants in a prayer. The parade. featuring pure Irish Pageantry, marches from 44th to 86th streets, clan by clan.. Anywhere from 150,000 to 250,000 marchers participate in the parade. There are no vehicles allowed in the parade. City streets will fill with bagpipers, marching bands and marching politicians. After the parade local pubs will fill withcrowds for green beer, strong Irish Whiskey and hearty plates of corned beef and cabbage.
- Brooklyn Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 16, 1 pm: Pre-Parade Mass is held at 9 am at Holy Name Church. At 12:45 is the "Re-Dedication Ceremony" to the Victims of 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy. Parade themes remember Irish history. This years themes are: "Faith, History, Tribute & Remembrance," "Faith of St. Patrick - The Intertwined Histories of Ireland & America;" Forever "In Remembrance Of" the Heroes & Victims of 9/11 - WTC; and The 90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland.
- Rockaway Queens Saint Patrick's Day Parade,Saturday, March 1, 1 pm
- Queens, NY St. Patrick's Parade and Fair, Sunday, March 2, 2 pm: " St. Pat's Parade For All." Everyone is welcome to participate.
- Yonkers, NY St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 2, 1:30 pm: The 53rd Yonkers St. Pat's parade will march down Broadway. A Dinner Dance will be held at the Polish Community Center at 6:00 pm. Tickets for the dinner/dance are $75.
- Staten Island, NY St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 9, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm: Mass will be held at 9:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Church. Parade steps off at 12:30 pm
- White Plains, NY St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 8, 12 Noon: The White Plains 11th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade features floats, leprechauns, marching bands and more.
- Buffalo "Old Neighborhood" St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 15, Noon: The parade retraces the original 1913 parade route, winding through the historic streets of the Valley and the Old First Ward. The Buffalo parade features marching bands, Irish dancers, floats, clowns, classic cars, local police and fire departments, dignitaries and family clans. After the parade a grand Irish "Hooley" will be held at the Valley Center, with inside and outside bars, live Irish music, Irish dances, food and refreshments.
- Rochester, NY St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 15, 12:30 pm: This is Rochester's 31th annual parade. The parade draws approximately 80,000 people.
Happy St. Patrick's Day. It is always a good idea to confirm information before making a trip.
Please do not drink and drive. Select a designated driver before venturing out to the pubs for green beer!
Read about St. Patrick's Parades in: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota.and Chicago.
