Quebec City St-Patrick Parade facts for kids

The parade's return in 2010, featuring the NYPD Pipes and Drums.

The Québec City St-Patrick's Day Parade is a big celebration for Saint Patrick's Day in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. This exciting event came back in 2010 after being away for 84 years!

The Story of the Parade

How the Parade Started (1837–1926)

The very first time St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in Canada was in Québec City in 1765. This party happened at the Sun Tavern on St. John Street, which is now called rue St-Jean. A man named Miles Prentice, who used to be a soldier, hosted the event. He was likely from Ireland.

Québec City's first parade happened in 1837. This was just four years after the Irish community opened their first church, St. Patrick's, on rue McMahon. Many people came to the parade. It quickly became a very important yearly event in Québec City.

In 1916, the parade stopped because of World War I. It started again in 1921. By 1928, two years after the last parade, a local newspaper called the Québec Chronicle Telegraph sadly said the celebration was becoming history. However, students from St. Patrick's High School kept holding small parades until the 1940s.

The Parade's Big Return (2010–Present)

In 2009, a group of people decided to bring the parade back to Québec City. Many people, different groups, and the city government supported them. The St. Patrick's Day parade marched through the streets of Québec again on March 13, 2010. This was the first time in over 84 years!

For this special return, some members of the NYPD Pipes and Drums band came as special guests. Everyone thought the event was a huge success. More than 40,000 people came to watch in Old Québec. The parade has continued every year since then, bringing lots of joy to the city.