The Largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the World Celebrated by Well Over A Million People

**The NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drum Band Get the Crowd Worked Up**

One of the longest and coldest winters in years was beginning to loosen its grip on the Metro area just in time for the 265th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s the oldest and more prestigious parades in the City and celebrates the patron saint of NYC and Ireland and everything Irish. The colder than normal temps didn’t stop the million or so spectators from lining up the parade route on 5th Avenue and turning it into a sea of emerald green. As usual with this parade, the “Fighting 69th Regiment” kicked things off with their pair of Irish wolfhound mascots greeting the crowd. This year had the right representation from the Regiment. Last year they were only a handful of marchers due to DOGE cuts…what a difference a year makes.

**The “Fighting 69th Regiment from NY” make their way up 5th Avenue**

**Let the Bagpipes and Drums Begin Playing**

**This years’ Grand Marshal Robert J. McCann Salutes the Crowd**

If you like bagpipes, drums and marching bands, then this is your parade. The parade kicks off at 11am at around 44th street. Since it is a celebration of the life of a Catholic saint, all marchers stop at the foot of St. Patrick’s Cathedral where they were greeted by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, the new Head of the Archdiocese of NY. All the regional Catholic High Schools and Universities sent marching bands to celebrate the occasion. This year there were more marching bands from across the country invited to participate in the parade. It’s a great honor to be selected as the first marching band in the parade as it sets a bar for ensuing bands to match. The Effingham County Rebel Regiment from Springfield, GA set the bar way high with their impressive uniforms and marching style. A perennial favorite is the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drum Band. They are representative of what a tight, well run unit of bagpipes and drums should look and sound like.

**The Effingham County Rebel Regiment Hitting the High Notes**

**Marching bands keep the energy level on high octane**

Each year it gives me great honor to capture a moment with the group that carries the memory of Det. Steven McDonald. His story is one that serves as an example for many. I always look for the Half-Mad McLoughlin’s from Brooklyn with their big banner and even bigger hearts celebrating the music and their culture. They truly represent the spirit of the parade. One of the crowd favorites is the FDNY Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band. Each year they bring out their best for the parade. The FDNY also honors all fellow firefighters that perished on 9/11 by carrying a large US flag for each brother and sister that didn’t return. We will never forget.

**Never to be forgotten and celebrated for his life and love**

**My favorite group of spectators haven’t missed a parade in many many years**

**Catching a break before going full throttle.**

**Keeping the memory of those lost on 9/11 alive**

The parade went on for about 5 hours and was filled with lots of happy hearts and smiling eyes in seeing Irish culture on full display. It’s always great to see how people dress up for the event and you don’t even need to be Irish to get in on the fun. One of the best examples was a band from Brittany, the Gaelic portion of France. They had their own version of playing bagpipes and drums. If the St. Patrick’s day parade was an indication of how the parade season will be this year, then we are in for a special treat this year. Of course, I can’t end this article without a good limerick…..

There was a young bell of old Natchez
Whose garments were always in patchez
When comments arose
On the state of her clothes
She replied ‘When Ah itchez, Ah scratchez.”

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