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On St. Patrick's Day in Buffalo, New York, everyone is Irish! Having a large Irish immigrant contingent in the city prompted the first St. Patrick's Day parade March 17, 1913. The parade was held for four years then had a break from 1917 to 1935. In 1935 until the present the parade was held every year except the World War II years from 1942 to 1945. The only time the parade was postponed a week was in 1997 when there was 18" of snow on the ground and wind chills of minus 30 degrees.

The city goes all out for the parade, with tri-colored Irish flags flying from all the light standards along the Delaware Avenue parade route. Most businesses along the route display shamrocks and banners proclaiming "Happy St. Patrick's Day" to parade-goers.

The cold doesn't keep parade-goers away. They line Delaware Avenue on both sides, bundled up in parkas, hats and mittens and waving Irish flags. Each year a Grand Marshall is chosen to lead the parade, which consists of gaily decorated floats, marching bands from local schools, fire trucks and local city leaders in cars and on foot.

This year the 67th annual parade will be held on Sunday, March 16th, followed by the Post-Parade Party at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza. This is a three-hour family oriented, alcohol-free celebration, which includes ice skating, amusement rides, face painting and lots of delicious food.

For the partiers without kids there will be, of course, plenty of green beer at the local pubs and taverns. And there is always a big party going on at the Irish Center in South Buffalo.

Buffalo is known for its diverse population of working-class people. Another big ethnic event is Dyngus Day, the day after Easter Sunday, where the Polish contingent celebrate their heritage. We also have the annual Pulaski Day Parade, honoring Polish hero General Pulaski, who fought against Russian domination. We have the annual Italian Festival and Junteenth, the annual black community celebration. We also celebrate Cinco de Mayo with our Hispanic neighbors. We are a true "Melting Pot" of the nation.

But, as I said, on March 17th and the Sunday closest to it when we have the big parade, everybody is Irish. Everyone is decked out in green and festooned with shamrocks. The celebrations continue on March 17th, when children and teachers wear green to school and classrooms have parties with green frosted cupcakes, of course.

St. Patrick's Day in Buffalo is a great place to be!

Learn more about this author, Donna Carroll Batton.
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