Philadelphia Celebrates 256th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

PHILADELPHIA—A sea of green filled the streets of Center City as thousands gathered on Sunday for Philadelphia’s 256th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

Locals and tourists alike turned out to celebrate Irish pride and heritage at the second-oldest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the United States. The holiday commemorating Ireland’s patron saint has become a celebration of Irish culture worldwide.

This year’s distinguished guest, Micheál Martin, taoiseach of Ireland, marched through the streets with Rep. Brendan Boyle, Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason, and other Pennsylvania state and local officials. The appearance was part of the taoiseach’s U.S. visit, which continued in Washington for events celebrating the deep ties between Ireland and the United States.

Organized by the Philadelphia Saint Patrick’s Day Observance Association, this year’s parade commemorates “250 years of Irish contributions to America,” honoring the legacy, culture, and achievements of the Irish community in the United States.

The first documented Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Philadelphia dates to 1771, five years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Held annually on the Sunday before March 17, the parade is the largest in Philadelphia, with about 20,000 participants and more than 200 groups represented.

Boyle shared on social media: “Proud to march with the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin and Irish Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason at Philly’s 256th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade!”

Joining the march were state Reps. Sean Dougherty and Pat Gallagher, along with state Sen. Sharif Street.

“I come down every year to this parade,” Dougherty told The Epoch Times. “I have participated in this parade since birth, literally. It’s great to be out here, being with your neighbors. Doesn’t matter where you come from, what your ethnicity is, or background is, today is a day just about celebrating each other, honoring the Irish culture.”

He added: “We’re a nation of immigrants. My descendants came from Ireland, got off the boat right down the street right there. So we’re here, we haven’t left.”

Gallagher also has Irish heritage and has attended the parade since childhood. He described it as “awesome” and a “great time celebrating.”

He told The Epoch Times he attends about 20 Irish-related events annually: “I always say: We’re the backbone of the worker in Philadelphia. It celebrates our heritage. It’s just a reminder of what you grew up with. This reminds me of part of the heritage that we seem to forget here and there. And just remember that everybody’s out here celebrating just fun, happiness, and a good time.”

Street was delighted with the good marching weather.

“Philadelphia has a large and robust Irish community. … And it’s a day of not only celebrating Saint Patrick, but of celebrating Irish heritage,” he told The Epoch Times. “We have so many diverse communities today, we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, which is a chance to recognize the great contributions of the Irish Americans in this city and this year in this country.”

Others sharing the joy included James Kelly, a physician from Maryland, with his son Ryan, a student at Towson University in Maryland. They also visited Constitution Hall and the Liberty Bell during the semiquincentennial celebrations.

“This is our first time,” Kelly told The Epoch Times. “We got all dressed up just to come down and be part of the fun. Our ancestors way back a couple hundred years are from Ireland. We always get dressed up in green. … I have my one beer a year on St Patrick’s Day. I’m not much of a beer drinker, and then we’ll go out, if we can find corned beef and cabbage somewhere, we’ll do that. … Everybody’s having fun, and it is a nice celebration. And if we actually remember that Saint Patrick was this amazing leader and saint, that would be good too. I just love seeing everybody in green.”

Schoolteacher Alice Penza, who lives in Philadelphia and works in New Jersey, enjoys the parade with her family every year: “It’s wonderful. It’s always a great day. I bring my family. We have my granddaughter. It’s all about family and our Irish traditions.”

She told The Epoch Times: “We’re going to go back to the house, we’re going to have ham and cabbage, and we’re going to have Irish music and just be with family. That is what our Irish tradition is all about.”

Harry Hampson of northeast Philadelphia was excited: “Go Ireland! I love this parade. Family tradition.”