Throngs Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston’s Festive Parade

BOSTON (AP) — Thousands of green-clad revelers celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday during the South Boston parade, marking one of the largest gatherings in America’s most Irish city. The vibrant event showcased Irish heritage amid a festive atmosphere and warm, overcast weather.

The parade’s 3.5-mile route, adorned with green, white, and orange confetti symbolizing the Irish flag, attracted an estimated crowd of hundreds of thousands. Marchers and floats traversed through South Boston, a neighborhood known for its rich Irish-American history. According to city data, over 20% of Boston’s residents claim Irish ancestry.

Camryn Craddock, a Massachusetts resident, expressed the excitement of the day, remarking, “I just like the energy that everyone brings. Everyone’s really hyped up. It’s not boring. Just seeing everyone having fun was really nice.”

Joining the revelers, Travis Wilshire reflected on his childhood experiences at the parade, stating, “Last time I was here, I was just a little kid, so it’s definitely cool to see it, like, in a different age group.”

The event is steeped in history, coinciding with Evacuation Day, which commemorates the expulsion of British troops from Boston in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. Parade organizers, the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, had aimed to keep things orderly, with some reported incidents of rowdiness mitigated by police presence and community warnings.

“There is probably a lot of alcohol consumed today,” noted parade-goer Alex Brough, acknowledging the spirited atmosphere. “But I think still people were overall behaving rather well.” As part of preventative measures, transit police confiscated large amounts of alcoholic beverages before the event commenced.

This year’s chief marshal was retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Alanna Devlin Ball, a local hero who represented the U.S. in the 2023 Invictus Games. “Lt. Cdr. Devlin Ball’s 12 years career in the Navy serves as an inspiration to young women who seek to serve in today’s military,” said U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, a South Boston native.

Despite past controversies surrounding the parade, including the exclusion of gay rights groups until recently, the event has evolved into a more inclusive celebration.

Mayor Michelle Wu participated in the parade, waving to supporters as crowds filled the streets. The festive procession featured various entertainers, musicians, and groups dedicated to honoring Boston’s Irish roots. One colorful float, manned by a leprechaun, playfully interacted with the crowd, while performers reenacted historical events.

Similar parades took place across the nation, including in Chicago and New York City, which holds its event on Monday.

In the aftermath of the parade, empty containers from homemade drinks overflowed the garbage bins, a testament to the day’s revelry.

As celebrations wrapped up in Boston, the electric spirit of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade lingered, leaving many eager for next year’s festivities.