Montreal is reportedly turning green for the weekend as it gears up for the 199th annual St. Patrick’s Parade March 17
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Montreal took place in 1824, making it the oldest of its kind in Canada.
Observed annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century.
Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17.
The first St.Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland but in America on Mar 17, 1601 in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.
The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years with Irish families traditionally attending church in the morning and celebrating in the afternoon
Montreal’s famous parade, organized by the United Irish Societies of Montreal, taking place on Sunday, March 17, 2024 would begin at noon along de Maisonneuve Street from Fort Street to Jeanne-Mance.
Featuring a sea of green, the three hour-parade celebrating the Irish community will see hundreds of floats, dancers, marching bands, Irish wolfhounds and performers.
Being led by Grand Marshal Mike Kennedy, the parades’ Chief reviewing officer would be Patty McCann.
Featuring the St. Patrick’s Queen, Chloe Miller, the parade would also see her court: Julia Rochford, Madison Lalonde, Mia Simard and Shaeleigh Rose Spracklin.
Those living west of the city, St Patrick’s Parade Irish Festival Parade, organized by the Soulanges Irish Society took place in Hudson, Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Hudson Main Street.
Being celebrated for the past 45 years, St. Patrick’s Day in the Lanaudiere town of Rawdon, north of Montreal, this year’s festival would be accompanied with three days of festivities, culminating in the parade which starts at 2 p.m. on Queen Street, ending at Church St.
The Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge would remain closed during this weekend. Also on Sunday in the Ville-Marie borough, de Maisonneuve Boulevard will remain closed between Fort Street and Jeanne-Mance Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrations by many pubs across the city in the downtown area have been underway including traditions like Irish breakfast, serving green beer, playing Irish music, and hosting pub crawls.
Those attending the parade are advised to to bring a rain poncho.
The temperature around noon will be 6 C, while the daytime high on Sunday is expected to climb to 7 C.
