New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The first NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in 1762 when New York City was still part of Great Britain.
About 150, 000 people march in the Parade. The Parade route is lined with about 2 million spectators.
In case you are wondering, the people of western Ireland and northwestern Spain share a common genetic and cultural heritage. The theory of the Black Irish coming from the destruction of the Spanish Armada is widely disproven. However, we are Atlantic Ocean sailors in both countries.
Irish regiments played important roles in the Latin American Wars of Independence. One of the great Cuban Jazz families, the O’Farrills, have an Irish heritage.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018 Honorees
The 2018 Grand Marshal is Loretta Brennan Glucksman. She is the co-founder of Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, and Chair Emeritus of the American Ireland Fund.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018 Participants
The Parade kicks off with a military escort from The Fighting 69th, the 69th Regiment of New York, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry. The regiment piper is Pipe Major Joe Brady.
Mayor Bill De Blasio and Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill follow. Then there are many, many marching bands.
All of the marching groups this year are from the United States and Ireland. We usually have some French and Spaniards.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018 Date & Time
The 2018 NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is on March 17, 2018 at 11 am. The Parade ends about 4:30 pm.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018 Route
The Parade marches up Fifth Avenue from 44th St to 79th St.
Broadcast
The easiest way to watch the parade is on NBC.
Grandstand Tickets
Grandstand tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Ticket requests are accepted until March 1.
Mail ticket requests to:
NYC St. Patrick’s Parade
P.O. Box 295 Woodlawn Station
Bronx, NY 10470
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018 Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded after the Parade.
There are college level and high school level scholarships for students whose school or organization is affiliated with the Parade. Scholarships are awarded based on research papers.
College scholarships are $3,250, $2,000 and $1,500.
High School scholarships are $1,500, $1,000 and $750.
Apply online at www.nycstpatricksparade.org
College-level papers and applications must be submitted by Monday, April 16, 2018 at 11 pm.
High School-level papers and applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 11 pm.
Scholarship winners will be announced on Thursday, May 24, 2018.
For more information, visit www.nycstpatricksparade.org
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