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Record-Breaking Turnout for Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
A man waves an Irish flag during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday. The parade drew over a million people to South Boston to celebrate the holiday.
Approximately one million people flocked to the streets of South Boston Sunday for the 122nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade hosted by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.
A Festive and Spirited Celebration
Despite the chilly 30-degree weather, thousands of people showed up to enjoy the festivities. Many donned leprechaun costumes and dressed in green as they lined the 3.5-mile parade route, cheering as the procession went by. The parade showcased a variety of impressive floats, local businesses, nonprofits, community members, and homegrown bands. The Boston Police Department kicked off the parade with their very own bagpipe band, the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums.
The excitement was palpable as many attendees said this year’s parade was one of the biggest and most fun events they’ve ever experienced. Massachusetts College of Art and Design students Emily Harding and Hannah Hall couldn’t contain their excitement, saying that the whole place was so energetic and electric.
The parade also drew tourists from all over, such as Megan Harrigan and Toby Akers from Virginia, who came out dressed in matching Leprechaun-onesies. Harrigan said that the best part of the parade was the live Irish music and the biker gangs.
A Celebration of Irish Culture
For many Irish Bostonians, the parade is more than just a celebration of the holiday – it’s an important way to reinvigorate Irish culture. Almost 20% of Massachusetts residents identify as having Irish ancestry, and for many, the parade has become a tradition that shows pride in their heritage. Local resident Michael Donnely said, “For me, it’s like the night before Thanksgiving when you run into people you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s a family gathering.”
Longtime resident Thomas Moore has also been coming to the parade for over 25 years, stating that what makes this parade so special is the heritage of the area and the fact that people like to party and have a good time. This sentiment was echoed by Irish man Adam Kennedy, who traveled to Boston specifically to experience the parade because he heard it was “the best St. Patrick’s day parade in all the states.” Although nothing compares to the spirit of his home country, Kennedy acknowledged that Boston has accurately captured much of Ireland’s culture.
Overall, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston was a lively and joyous celebration of Irish heritage that drew an unprecedented crowd of over a million people.
