America’s Best Saint Patrick’s Day Parades
Saint Patrick’s Day, a festive tradition established in Ireland but celebrated world-wide, appears on the 17th of March every year, and is sure to include vast amounts of drinking (of Guinness especially), green attire and general shenanigans for all to enjoy. Let’s take a look at some of the best parades in America:
The U.S. has long since shared in the occasion and embraces all that it represents, with cities across the country taking part with their own parades and events to celebrate this memorable day with large amounts of citizens hitting the streets to take part in the action. Festivities can be found in most towns and states although the best take place in the major cities where hundreds of thousands gather in the streets to participate.
Boston in particular is one of the biggest, starting in the days leading up where Irish events such as comedy galas, concerts and even Boston’s own Irish Heritage Trail mark the tone of the day to come. On the 17th however, a parade starting at around 1pm takes place in the city that heads down Broadway ending up at Andrew Square where more than half a million spectators come out and line the streets.
Savannah is another city which boasts a stellar turn-out, with around 400,000 spectators taking part on the day, which involves the famous Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations on the River. On the 17th an early mass at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist takes place, which is closely followed by the parade which heads through the historic park district and causes the city’s residents to die all the fountains green in celebration.
New York also turns it up on the day, with the biggest parade of the country and over 1 million spectators that watch the parade from the streets of 5th Avenue or via the live television broadcast. Not only is this one of the biggest but it’s also the world’s first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, where in 1762 Irish soldiers marched the streets to re-connect back with their homeland. In modern times the celebrations include a 150,000 strong soldier march, with bag pipers, band members and other members of the Irish community taking part and making it a day to remember.
The biggest parade west of the Rockies takes place in San Francisco, which hosts a parade of around 5000 participants in the central city. Starting on the corner of Second and Market Streets at around 11:30am, the celebrations then continue after this at the all-day festival held at the Civic Centre Plaza. Here a variety of performances, cultural displays and a vast number of arts and crafts stalls take place for all to enjoy.
So whether you want to actually take part in the parade, spectate from the streets or just watch via a television broadcast at home, there are a plenty of options all around the U.S. to participate and celebrate in one of the most widely recognized Irish traditions on offer. From the sheer magnitude and long established tradition of the New York parade to the green stained fountains in Savannah, there is something for everyone to soak up the atmosphere and good vibes that Saint Patrick’s Day brings! 🙂 – Travel Feeder
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
