St. Patrick's Day Parades in New York

New York is home to the oldest and biggest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the U.S.A. The event, with thousands of marchers attracts spectators from all over. The City Spectacular takes place on March 17, along with festivities and parties throughout Manhattan. The New York City spectacular may be the biggest and the best parade ever. There are also many other parades in New York State. There are celebrations on every weekend from March 3 to March 25.

St. Patrick's Day is a celebration honoring the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was born more than 1600 years ago. He was enslaved in Ireland, escaped, and after becoming a priest, was returned to Ireland. Patrick's spent 30 years converting the Irish to Christianity, until the time of his death. The legend of St. Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. However, Ireland is an island without snakes.

There were probably never any snakes in Ireland. Instead, the snakes of legend, were likely symbolic of the pagans that he converted to Christianity. Snakes had been a symbol of evil since the story of the Garden of Eden in the Bible Book of Genesis. St. Patrick is also credited with using the simple shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity of The God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to the Irish. The shamrock has been associated with St. Patrick and the Irish people ever since. Today 93% of Ireland is Catholic.

The St. Patrick's celebrations in the U.S.A. honor the Irish immigrants who were an important part of our nation's heritage. Many people do not really understand the historic, religious roots of the holiday, seeing it as an opportunity to put on green carnations, drink green beer and eat corned beef and cabbage.

Following are St. Patrick's Day events throughout New York State:

2007 New York City 245th Saint Patrick's Day Parade
New York, New York
Saturday, March 17
11 am
The St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City is the original parade, with a long a rich history. The first parade was held in 1762, which was 16 years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The theme of this year's parade is "A Tribute to out New York City Fire Department NYFD". 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. It will also be reviewed from the Official Reviewing Stand at 64th Street and 5th Avenue.

Clan by Clan, the parade will march from 44th to 86th streets. Pure Irish pageantry will be visible, as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 20 Irish county societies and various Emerald, Irish-language and Irish nationalist societies march by. There will be bagpipers, high school bands and politicians in the famous parade. Approximately 160,000 marchers participate in the parade. The city will be green, with Irish wearing green face paint, green nail polish and green clothing. The parade welcomes many contingents including: Caribbean, Latino, Native American and Mexican.The parade will probably be televised on NBC.

After the parade, the pubs will be mobbed with revelers enjoying Irish beer, corned beef and cabbage or shepherd's pie.

Rockaway Queens Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 3
1 pm

Queens St. Patrick's Parade and Irish Fair
Sunday, March 4
2 pm
Parade for all, where everyone is welcome to participate. In fact, some people actually refer to this as The "St. Pats Parade For All." This celebration is well known for honoring the contributions of the unique contribution of Irish LCBT community groups.

Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 4
11:30 am to 3:00 pm

Yonkers' St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 4
1:30 pm
The 52nd Annual Yonkers' St. Patrick's Day Parade will be followed, at 6pm, by a Dinner Dance at the Polish Community. Entertainment for the evening will by the Guss Hayes Band and Dances from the Christine Murray School of Irish Dance. The Dinner Dance is $75.

17th Annual Mount Kisco St. Patrick's Day Parade
Mount Kisco, New York
Saturday, March 10
2 pm
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 16. The parade in northern Westchester County features over 60 organizations, 60 Irish step dancers, Irish bag pipe bands, military bands, military re-enactment groups, antique cars, antique police cars, fire trucks, marching bands, community groups and more. There is also a Dinner Dance at the American Legion on March 10. The Dinner Dance includes hot food, beer, wine, soda, music, dancing and entertainment for $40 per person.

White Plains St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 10
12 Noon
The White Plain's 10th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on the 10th. there will be floats, leprechauns, marching bands and more at this festive parade.

The Bronx Saint Patrick's Parade
Sleepy Hollow - Tarrytown
Saturday, March 11
1:30 pm

Eastchester 3rd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Eastchester, New York
Sunday, March 11
2:30 pm

Huntington 73rd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 11
2 pm
This parade is the largest on Long Island. It is organized b the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians. Each year up to 50,000 people attend this family friendly event.

Mount Kisco St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 11
2 pm

Rocky Point St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 11
1 pm

Sleepy Hollow Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sleepy Hollow - Tarrytown, New York
Sunday, March 11
1:30 pm
The 11th annual parade will be held at 1:30. at 2 pm there will be post parade activities at the Fraternal Order of Eagles with food, dink and live music A $10 donation is asked for the post parade party.

Buffalo 14th Annual "Old Neighborhood" St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 17
12 Noon
The Parade kicks off at noon from the Valley Community Center. There will be over 60 marching units including marching bands, clowns, classic cars, Irish dancers, family clams, fire and police departments and much more. Stay for the traditional grand Irish "Hooley" with live music by "Eire Road", entertainment and plenty of food and drink. The "Hooley" runs from 1 pm to 6 pm a the Valley Community Center..

Hoosick Falls 16th Annual St. Patrick's Parade and Irish Fest
Hoosick Falls, New York
Saturday, March 17
1 pm
Parade, with Irish Fest to follow. Enjoy a day of music, bagpipes, dancing and more

Rochester St. Patrick's Day Parade
Rochester, New York
Saturday, March 17
12:30 pm
Rochester's tributes to "The Irish Influence in Rochester" for it's 30th annual parade. The parade draws approximately 80,000 people. The Grand Marshal, Army, Navy Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, Professional Sports Teams take part in the event.

2007 Brooklyn Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 18
1 pm

Pearl River St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 18
1:30 pm
The 44th Annual Parade is the second largest event after the Manhattan celebration. The parade will feature many of the same bands and organization that will be in the New York City parade. This parade is dedicated in part to the people who promote peace in North East Ireland and in part to the Military Service Personnel of the United States.

Glencove St. Patrick's Day Parade
Long Island, New York
Sunday, March 18
1 pm
Ancient Order of Hibernians. Festive parade with balloons, bands and fun.

Rockville Center Saint Patrick's Parade
Saturday, March 24
9 am
Parade with marching bands, music, bag pipes and more. The 11th annual event has the motto :The Parade That Cares and Shares" Since it's inception they have donated more than $300,00 to national, local and Irish charities.

Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 25

Have a great St. Patrick's Day. It is always a good idea to confirm information before making a trip.