A sea of greenery descended on New York City on Thursday as the largest and oldest St.
Thousands braved the rain and lined up 5th Avenue for the parade, while Irish bars quickly filled across the city.
“This is the best thing that has happened to us in two years,” said Mike Carty, owner of Rosie O’Grady’s Pub in the Theater District. “We need the business and this is where it really started.”
The full return of the Irish tradition was the first major parade held at the Big Apple since the city reopened and dropped its grand mask and vaccination rules.
When the pandemic was released in March 2020, St. Patrick’s Day Parade was one of the first major NYC events to be canceled – the first time in parade history marked that it was closed.
“Psychologically, it means a lot,” said Sean Lane, president of the parade’s organizing group, about the parade’s return. “New York really needs this.”
The revelers turned green and waved Irish flags as they spread out on the 35-block parade route between 44th and 79th streets.
Married couple Deirdre and Bill Constant, who live in Westchester, have been attending the parade together since meeting there three decades ago. After missing the last two years, the couple were thrilled to finally be back.
“It’s just one of the many pieces back to normal … It’s been a long time coming, but it seems to be happening,” Bill told The Post.
“It’s great to be back in everything. It’s great to go to a bar, it’s great to be in everything,” Deirdre added.
For 17-year-old Patrick Marzella, it was his first time back in the Big Apple since before the pandemic hit.
“It’s my first time in town in three years, and this’s a really great way to do it. St Patrick’s is a really great time. I love it,” the Westchester County teenager told the Post.
Others travel from out of state alone to the famous St. Patrick’s Day experience.
Sarah Wright, who flew from Austin, Texas with her husband and two boys, did not even say the dry weather had stopped her.
“It’s just so awful to be out after so many years after it’s canceled and just feel the energy in the air and the New York spirit,” she said. “It’s a great place to be on a great day. Despite the weather, it’s definitely worth it to be out here.
Amanda Clark, who had planned to travel from Iowa to NYC for the 2020 parade, told the Post she would be ecstatic to finally make it this year.
“We’re very excited to be here and celebrate, to have a little fun, a little brighter,” Clark said. “[Two years ago] everything was canceled so we could not even get to New York. We’re just very excited to be out and about.
In Times Square, bars swore allegiance to customers after being hit hard by the pandemic.
“It’s good for everyone. Good for the city’s morale. We’re just happy to be back this year,” said John Doherty, owner of the Copyright Irish Pub.
“It’s amazing to see everyone smiling. Laughing, drinking, eating … wearing green. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
Forced to cancel in 2020 and 2021, the organizers of the parade tried to follow the tradition of St.
This year, the organizers had predicted hoards of people as the parade finally returned to normal.
The organizers were hopeful that people would show up, not only to commemorate the holiday, but also to honor the first responses that helped the Big Apple get through the pandemic.
At one point, the parade observed a moment of calm and commitment to commemorate the city’s COVID victims and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Mat Post Drot
Add Comment