Family Fun Events on St. Patrick's Day in Buffalo, NY

In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day was and still is a very religious holiday. However, when the holiday was brought to America, our melting pot society quickly changed the focus of the day. Today, St. Patrick's Day is a fantastic holiday to celebrate because unlike most ethnic holidays, everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day! It's the one day of the year that everyone is Irish! This is especially true in Buffalo, NY.

The most momentous event that takes place each year around St. Patrick's Day is the St. Patrick's Day parade. Because the day of the week fluctuates each year for St. Patrick's Day, the parade is held either the Sunday before or the Sunday after, depending on which is closer to the actual date. This year, St. Patrick's Day is on Monday March 17, 2008 so the parade and all other St. Patrick's Day activities are being held Sunday March 16, 2008.

The 67^th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Buffalo starts at Niagara Square and proceeds down Delaware Avenue to North Street. Wear your green proudly but don't forget to dress for the weather; temperatures usually hover right around freezing. Between Niagara Square and Virginia St, there will be several booths set up for face painting. During the parade families can enjoy watching marching bands, floats, Irish dancers, policemen, firemen, the Grand Marshall and more!

Once the parade is over, families can head over to the Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza for the annual St. Patrick's Post-Parade Party. This year the party is being held from 3:30pm until 6:30pm. It's great for families with younger children because it provides parents with an alcohol-free family celebration for this holiday event. The post-parade party includes free ice skating at Rotary Rink as well as face painting, clowns, concessions and kiddie amusement rides. Not only does this event celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but it also serves as the official closing of Rotary Rink's free ice skating season. So after the parade this year, head over to Rotary Rink for more family fun!

Personally I've been to the parade about 15 times in my lifetime, many times when I was younger, and now for the past 5 years since I've been home from school. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience. Its one of the largest gatherings in Buffalo, NY and truly a spectacle to see. If you are looking for something unique and fun to do with the family this St. Patrick's Day, there's no better place to visit than the Downtown Buffalo, St. Patrick's Day Parade!