Determining the most famous St. Patrick's Day parades is colored (green) by one's perspective of fame. The most famous St. Patrick's Day parade, although not actually a parade, may be life's path as referenced in the traditional Irish blessing, "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back...and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand." Fame, like beauty, though, lies within the eyes of the beholder. So it is, in determining which St. Paddy's Day parades are the most famous.
Virtually every major community in the free world holds a St. Patrick's Day celebration, including parades, in countless cities. Some are famous worldwide, and some only to the hometown crowd. Top St. Patrick's Day parade contenders are Boston, Massachusetts, for the first St. Patrick's Day parade, New York City, New York, for the the most continuous years of holding a parade, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, second to New York City for continuity, Dublin, Ireland for largest, and Hot Springs, Arkansas for shortest.
The first St. Patrick's Day parade in the Americas was held in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 17, 1737, long before the writing of the Declaration of Independence. The Charitable Irish Society of Boston, a group whose purpose was to assist Irish immigrants in their transition to the new country, organized it. This St. Patrick's Day parade was held to encourage a sense of identity and pride for Irish settlers. The Charitable Irish Society of Boston still functions as a source of Irish pride in Boston.
The Boston St. Patrick's Day parade is not the longest running one in the United States. For various reasons, Boston, at times did not continue the tradition it began on March 17, 1737, but Boston still claims the record of being America's most Irish city. Its St. Patrick's Day parade resumed in 1901 in South Boston and has been held annually ever since. It is known to be one of the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day parades drawing in excess of 500,000 observers annually.
New York City holds the record for holding an annual St. Patrick's Day parade for the longest number of successive years. The first St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City was held in 1766 and the tradition continues to the present. Irish soldiers, stationed in the colonies, serving the King of England, first organized New York's St. Patrick's Day parade. Little did they know that within a decade of that first parade both the character of New England and their celebration would take on a completely different tone.
Early St. Patrick's Day parades in New York began at individual parish churches where loyal members then marched to St. Patrick's Cathedral. As the city grew, the parade route grew, and as a new St. Patrick's Cathedral was built, the parade route shifted. The New York St. Patrick's Day parade is unique in that it still does not allow floats or motorized vehicles. Following the "olde" tradition of parades that consisted of artisans, tradesmen, or parishioners marching for a cause, the New York St. Patrick's Day parade consists only of people marching for the Irish cause.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, holds the record, just behind New York for the most continuous years of holding a St. Patrick's Day parade. Philadelphia's Irish first celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a city parade in 1771. The St. Patrick's Day Observation Society of Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization, hosts this annual parade to honor the culture, music and religion of its Irish ancestors. It is considered to be one of America's grandest St. Patrick's Day parades for the finery of its costuming, greenery, and music.
Hot Springs, Arkansas' St. Patrick's Day parade is known as the nation's shortest parade, held on its famed Bridge Street, one block in length. Bridge Street in Hot Springs became famous in the 1940's when Ripley's Believe it or Not designated it the shortest street in the world. About the size of a leprechaun, the Hot Springs' parade does not lack in enthusiasm nor Irish pride.
The World's largest and most commercialized St. Patrick's Day parade is held annually in Dublin, Ireland. Creating a carnival atmosphere, the parade, over two hours in length weaves through the city center with international representation. As part of Ireland's effort to capitalize on the day, in 1996 the Irish government established what is now known as the St. Patrick's Day Festival. Originally, a one-day celebration, The Irish Festival in Dublin grew to rival New Orleans' Mardis Gras for continuous revelry. The Irish Festival, now a week long event in Dublin, hosts the largest and grandest of all St. Patrick's Day parades.
It is virtually impossible to identify any one parade as the most famous St. Patrick's Day parade. Regardless of the criteria one uses to establish comparison, though, it is true that St. Patrick's Day parades, wherever they occur, bring a bit of Irish folklore, a great deal of revelry, and hopefully some Irish luck to all who observe and participate in them.