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Members of police, fire, emergency and military, as well as others marched the green line. (Eileen Casey) |
New York City - The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade was indeed a grand affair, celebrating its consecutive 250th year. It should be noted that this annual parade was first held in 1762 - that is 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed!
This year's Grand Marshal was
Mary Higgins Clark, who requested and received a horse drawn carriage - the first Grand Marshal to ever do so. The best selling author has written 29 novels, movie scripts and co-authored five additional novels with her daughter
Carol.
John Dunleavy acted as this year's Chairman of the Parade, and among other notables changes, it was announced that for the first time the parade route would conclude at East 79th Street and Fifth Avenue, causing many who traditionally stand on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to scramble south down Fifth Avenue to be sure to catch a glimpse of this year's marching majesty, as the parade has always ended at 86th Street. The route was shorten by
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, although many of those marching in the parade indicated they were not even aware of the change. Additionally, for the first time ever soldiers were the first group to march, instead of members of the Fire Department.
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The horse drawn carriage carrying Grand Marshal Mary Higgins Clark. (Eileen Casey) |
The NYC St. Paddy's Day parade is the world's oldest and largest civic parade which celebrates Irish faith, heritage and culture, and has long been regarded as the most popular of all the parades in New York City, honoring Saint Patrick - the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Ireland and New York.
There are no floats or motorized vehicles in this parade, participants march only, and march they did to the sounds of cheering and applause from observers, and the sounds of marching bands and bagpipers - and those beautiful pipes - well, they fill the air with sweet and tender sounds that elicted many a smile as well as audible sighs of pleasure and remembrance among those watching.
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New York's finest were all smiles. (Eileen Casey) |
Under warm and clear skies this year's parade was yet another success for the City, the men and women of NYC's finest and bravest, and others from around the country and the world who participated in the one day a year when all eyes are indeed Irish eyes that are smiling.
After the parade and all its festivities,
Black 47, a foot stomping, hand clapping, jump to your feet, band of Irish-Americans and others took to the stage at B.B. King's, and lit up the stage with as much wattage as was burning bright in Times Square. Preceded by bagpipers who played for those who may have missed the parade, (or perhaps for free drinks as is a custom on St. Patrick's Day for the pipers to play outside pubs and bars), Black 47 ensured that the day's celebration continued to the delight of new and devoted fans of the band's music. A wonderful topper to a wonderful day.
Sláinte!
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Black 47 played at B.B. King's providing a sometimes political twist to traditional Irish music. (Eileen Casey) |
Guest (Richie Dunne) from Carmel, California says:
I had the honor of marching in two St Patrick's Day Parades with the La Salle Academy Band and Glee Club. The years were 1956 and 1957 and I played the snare drum. During the '57 parade, we had only gone a few blocks when the bass drummer hit the drum just a little too hard and broke the skin. Of course, it had to be on the side that was facing the sidewalk. Needless to say, he endured a lot of snickering and catcalls much to his embarrassment. We had a good laugh about it afterwards, though. On La Salle Men!