Saint Patrick's Day Parade (Utica, NY) facts for kids
The Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Utica, New York is a big celebration held every year. It takes place on the Saturday before Saint Patrick's Day, which is March 17. This parade is one of the largest in New York State, right after the parades in New York City and Rochester. Thousands of people gather along Genesee Street in Utica to watch and celebrate. The parade route goes from Oneida Square to Lafayette Street. It's a fun day for families, kids, and everyone who loves Saint Patrick's Day.
How the Utica Parade Started
The Saint Patrick's Day Parade is now run by groups that don't make a profit. But when it first began in 1985, it wasn't organized at all. It started with businesses on Varick Street, especially local shops and cafes. They wanted to bring more people to their area for the holiday.
The very first parade was started by Rogers Coffee House. People marched a short distance along West Utica. The parade went down the whole length of Varick Street. In the years that followed, it became more organized. The route then included a block of Court Street, Varick Street, and a few blocks of Columbia Street.
Soon, the parade started getting much bigger. More floats and people joined the celebration. Different organizations began to get involved. One of these was The Great American Festival organization. People decided the parade route needed to change. Families wanted to bring their children, but they didn't want to be near the busy Varick Street area. So, in 1992, the parade moved to its current location on Genesee Street.
The Big Snowstorm of 1993
In 1993, the parade was held for the second time on Genesee Street. A huge snowstorm, known as the 1993 Storm of the Century, was coming. But the paraders still went out to celebrate and take part! When the parade started at 10 AM, it began to snow. About three hours later, when the parade ended, 18 inches of snow had fallen. Even with all that snow, the parade kept going.
Famous singer Dolly Parton even attended the parade that year. She later talked about it on The David Letterman Show. This helped the Utica parade get national attention!
The Parade Today
Today, the parade is planned and run by the Committee of The Great American Irish Festival. A special person called the Grand Marshal leads the parade. This person is chosen by the committee for their "great Irish pride and good character."
The parade route begins at a circle called Oneida Square. It then goes down Genesee Street. Along the way, paraders pass historic buildings. These include the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute and the Utica Public Library.
Further down the street, the paraders stop in front of the historic Stanley Theater. This is where the grandstand is located. The Mayor, city council members, and other important city figures sit there. All the Grand Marshals from past years also join them. Paraders dance, sing songs, or play their instruments for the crowd. After their stop, they continue down to Lafayette Street. The parade ends near the Hotel Utica.
In 2017, the parade was delayed until March 25 because of bad weather. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the parade to take a break for a few years.
Parade Day Fun
The parade still brings lots of visitors to local businesses. Many shops and restaurants in the area are open early on parade day. People gather to enjoy the festive atmosphere. After the parade ends, many people head to Varick Street. The street is often blocked off for a big community celebration. It's a day filled with Irish music, dancing, and fun for everyone.
