In Celebration Of St. Patrick's Day

Today is St. Patrick's day. How are you going to celebrate it? To me, I have no idea yet because this is my first time to celebrate this event. We have no St. Patrick's day in the Philippines so this will be a whole new experience to me. They said during St. Patrick's day there are a number of places that will be bustling and overflowing with people. This event is celebrate in every State in United States. Just like in New York, there celebration is one of a kind. The New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade is world-famous and allegedly the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The tradition started in 1762 as a modest foot parade, and to this day does not include any commercial aspects like floats or cars. Approximately 150,000 to 250,000 people march before an estimated 2 million spectators.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was originally downtown, centered around the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 32 Prince Street. The initial participants were Irish immigrants and Irish military men in the British Army who were stationed in the American colonies. At the time, the British had placed restrictions on Irish customs (like dancing and language) within Ireland, and the Irish in New York reveled in being able to celebrate freely.

Today, the parade goes past Saint Patrick’s Cathedral at 50^th Street and continues up to the American Irish Historical Society at 86^th Street. It is still led by a unit of soldiers – currently the “Irish Infantry” – and is now officially sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

The best spots to view the parade are on the uptown end of the route. Try to find a spot high up on the Metropolitan Museum steps, or on the corner of 86^th Street (where the parade turns). The starting and ending points of the parade are typically good for viewing. Pedestrians can only cross the parade route in groups at police-regulated points these areas get crowded, but once the masses move you can typically find a better viewing spot. The parade starts at 11am on 44^th Street and finishes roughly 5pm at 86^th Street. It will be broadcast on NBC for four hours.