New York City hosted the 258thSt. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. This year the theme was for supporting immigrants and immigration. Dr. Brian O’Dwyer an immigration attorney and activist was the Grand Marshal.
The start of the parade began with Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch blowing the whistle at 11:00 a.m. Cardinal Timothy Dolan greeted parade marchers as they passed by St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The marchers included representation of the New York police and fire departments, bagpipes, dancers, marchers from Ireland and other parts of the world marched nearly six hours.
There were over 150,000 marchers and over 2 million people lined the parade route that began at 44thStreet and ended on 79thStreet on Fifth Avenue. Mayor Bill de Blasio walked the parade route with NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill amongst others.
Doublerock Press photos: https://www.napphotos.com
Mitchell Walters/Nancy Ann Peterson, photographer