St. Patrick's Day Parades
St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday this year, but there's plenty of celebrating to do before the big day. Many parades are taking place this weekend, with major cities across the U.S. pulling out all of the stops. From New York to San Francisco, GAYOT.com has the lowdown on the best parades in the country.
BOSTON
Sunday, March 16
Considering Boston has more Irish pubs than any other city in the United States, it should be no surprise that Beantown celebrated the first St. Patrick's Day Parade ever back in 1737. It is now the second largest parade in the country, attracting as many as 600,000 spectators and participants. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. from Broadway Station.
NEW YORK
Monday, March 17
The largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world, New York's edition is held for the 253rd time in 2014, attracting 150,000 marchers and some 2 million spectators. Marching up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 79th Streets, the parade kicks off at 11 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA
Sunday, March 16
Going back to 1771, five years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence there, Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day Parade is the third oldest in the country after New York City's and Boston's. It is also one of the grandest parades in a city that love parades. The three-hour parade begins at 11 a.m.
SAN FRANCISCO
Saturday, March 15
The largest St. Patrick's Day Parade west of the Mississippi River, San Francisco's 163rd annual parade starts at 11:30 a.m. at Second and Market Streets and proceeds to City Hall along Market Street. A festival in Civic Center Plaza takes place from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the same day, which includes Irish cultural and retail booths, Irish food and beverages, Irish dancing, live music and children’s activities, such as pony rides.
WASHINGTON, DC
Sunday, March 16
The 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade of Washington, DC begins at noon on Historic Constitution Avenue, between 7th to 17th Streets NW. This year, an estimated 20,000 spectators will be entertained by floats, Irish dancers, drill teams, and music performed by marching bands and pipe bands dressed in traditional Irish garb.
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