2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC
It’s almost that time again for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. In 2015, it takes place on Tuesday, March 17, and it’s an event that you definitely don’t want to miss. Did we mention it’s the largest parade in the world? It’s been going strong for over 250 years ever since March 17, 1762 when it first marched up Fifth Avenue.
The parade is one that’s deep rooted in tradition. It’s completely run by volunteers, many of whom come from a line of family members who have also been a part of the parade. There are a whopping 250,000 marchers in the 2015 parade who will walk past an estimated 2 million people along the parade route who are decked out in their favorite showing of green and gold. Considering the crowds, if you want to get a good seat, it’s best that you get there early. This year, rain is expected, so you may also want to bring a rain coat, but forgo the umbrellas if possible. You know how it is trying to get through the city with an umbrella on a normal day, now consider what it would be like with the parade attendees trying to maneuver around with an umbrella in hand. Sorry, but no pets are permitted at the parade.
You can grab a spot on the parade route between 44th Street and 79th Street, but if you can’t make it in, you can always tune in for live coverage on TV or through live streaming on the official site for The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade starts at 11am EST, and will continue until between 4:30pm – 5pm EST.
Although St. Patrick’s Day is the fourth most popular drinking day in the nation (right behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas, and the 4th of July), you cannot drink alcohol along the parade route. If you’re caught, the police won’t hesitate to remove you. You can bring bags, purses, and backpacks, but keep in mind that they are subject to search by the police. The smaller the bag the better as it will be easier for you to get through the crowds without having to worry about lugging a large bag with you.
Driving in is not a good idea and is strongly discouraged. Consider how it is to drive in the city on a regular day, then imagine when even more people are trying to do the same and there’s a parade in town. That doesn’t even count the high price of leaving your car for several hours in a parking garage on an event day. Public transportation will be crowded, but will also be your best friend compared to driving in. Port Authority is located at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue if you want to take a bus in, and Penn Station is located at 7th Ave and 33rd Street if you’re taking a train in.
The Grand Marshall of the 2015 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the Archbishop of New York City – Timothy Cardinal Dolan.