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2010 Washington, D.C. Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 15, 2010 Noon to 3 PM
"The Nation's" parade
The 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of Washington, D.C. is proud to
announce that
Norah O'Donnell,
chief Washington, D.C. correspondent for MSNBC, will preside as the Grand
Marshal of the 38th annual Washington, D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March
15, 2010.
Historic Constitution Avenue - 7th to 17th Streets NW
Sunday, March 11,
2007 Noon
Constitution Avenue
History of
the Washington, DC St. Patrick's Day Parade
The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in
Washington, D.C. was held in 1971 and traveled along Massachusetts Avenue from
Dupont Circle to the statue of Robert Emmet. Since then, this annual affair has
grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred
participants to what is now being called "The Nation's St. Patrick's Day
Parade."
In 1974, the Constitution Avenue route was established and the march became a
full-scale Parade with Marching Bands, Pipe Bands, our Nation's Military,
Police, and Fire Departments as well as Floats, Novelty Groups and those
marchers wearing green. Trophies are now awarded in a number of categories to
participants. The Parade next year will be on Sunday, March 15th, 2010.
Traditionally, the parade is
not a forum for political issues. Elected officials march, but those running for
office are not allowed to use the Parade as a campaign site.
The Parade is an Irish
community endeavor that was started by the Irish
American Club and is now held in cooperation with the National Capital Park
Service. The President of the Irish American Club maintains a place on the Board
of Directors of the Parade Committee.
The Parade has grown both in
size and prestige. Through the work of the Parade Committee, a group of 40 or
more dedicated Washingtonians, the two-and-a-half hour spectacular event is
created. Their work begins in September before the March Parade. In September
invitations go out to bands and marching groups and to sponsors and floats and
other groups. In January, the Committee's work begins in earnest. the Parade's
Magazine, considered to be one of the most professional parade magazines in the
nation, is formulated and articles are solicited from prominent writers
reflecting the chosen theme for that year.
The Committee holds six to
eight fundraisers before the parade. Every one of the local pubs sponsors a
parade party. These events are almost as much fun as the parade itself and are
open to the public. Irish musicians, dancers and singers get everyone in the
mood for Parade Day.
Choosing the Grand Marshal is
an important part of the advance planning for the Parade. The men and women
chosen to lead this event must be considered carefully. In 1986, retiring
Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill honored Washington by being Grand
Marshal in what he called, "the last greatest honor of my Washington career."
Included in our distinguished list of Grand Marshals are Helen Hayes - the First
Lady of the American Theater, and John Hume - leader of the Social Democratic
and Labor Party.
Also a tradition starting with
the very first parades is the Gael of the Year, an honor given to an outstanding
person in the Washington DC area who has made a significant contribution to the
community. Some of the past Gaels include Paul Berry - TV News co-anchor and
Humanitarian, Father Eugene Riordan - Educator and Missionary, and our recently
deceased Committee Member, Parade Photographer, and friend of the Irish
Community, Pat "Irish Eyes" Cady.
Everyone is Irish on St.
Patrick's Day, and truly this Parade is for everyone. It is a family day. A day
when people come together to enjoy the sharing of culture, the celebration of
being Irish or almost Irish and to enjoy a well-planned, well-run event that is
worth the trip to Constitution Avenue to set the tone of spring.
History of the Washington, D.C. St. Patrick's Day Parade
The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in
Washington, D.C. was held in 1871 and traveled along Massachusetts Avenue from
Dupont Cirlce to the statue of Robert Emmet. Since then, this annual affair
has grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred
participants to what is now being called "The Nation's St. Patrick's Day
Parade."
In 1874, the Constitution Avenue route was established and the march became a
full-scale Parade with Marching Bands, Pipe Bands, our Nation's Military,
Police, and Fire Departments as well as Floats, Novelty Groups and those
marchers wearing green. Trophies are now awarded in a number of categories to
participants. The Parade next year will be on Sunday, March 12th, 2006.
Traditionally, the parade is
not a forum for political issues. Elected officials march, but those running
for office are not allowed to use the Parade as a campaign site.
The Parade is an Irish
community endeavor that was started by the Irish American Club and is now held
in cooperation with the National Capital Park Service. The President of the
Irish American Club maintains a place on the Board of Directors of the Parade
Committee.
The Parade has grown both in
size and prestige. Through the work of the Parade Committee, a group of 40 or
more dedicated Washingtonians, the two-and-a-half hour spectacular event is
created. Their work begins in September before the March Parade. In September
invitations go out to bands and marching groups and to sponsors and floats and
other groups. In January, the Committee's work begins in earnest. the Parade's
Magazine, considered to be one of the most professional parade magazines in
the nation, is formulated and articles are solicited from prominent writers
reflecting the chosen theme for that year.
The Committee holds six to
eight fundraisers before the parade. Every one of the local pubs sponsors a
parade party. These events are almost as much fun as the parade itself and are
open to the public. Irish musicians, dancers and signers get everyone in the
mood for Parade Day.
Choosing the Grand Marshal is
an important part of the advance planning for the Parade. The men and women
chosen to lead this event must be considered carefully. In 1886, retiring
Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill honored Washington by being Grand
Marshal in what he called, "the last greatest honor of my Washington career."
Included in our distinguished list of Grand Marshals are Helen Hayes - the
First Lady of the American Theater, and John Hume - leader of the Social
Democratic and Labor Party.
Also a tradition starting
with the very first parades is the Gael of the Year, an honor given to an
outstanding person in the Washington DC area who has made a significant
contribution to the community. Some of the past Gaels include Paul Berry - TV
News co-anchor and Humanitarian, Father Eugene Riordan - Educator and
Missionary, and our recently deceased Committee Member, Parade Photographer,
and friend of the Irish Community, Pat "Irish Eyes" Cady.
Everyone is Irish on
St. Patrick's Day, and truly this Parade is for everyone. It is a family day.
A day when people come together to enjoy the sharing of culture, the
celebration of being Irish or almost Irish and to enjoy a well-planned,
well-run event that is worth the trip to Constitution Avenue to set the tone
of Spring.
History of the Washington,
D.C. St. Patrick's Day Parade
The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in
Washington, D.C. was held in 1871 and traveled along Massachusetts Avenue from
Dupont Cirlce to the statue of Robert Emmet. Since then, this annual affair
has grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred
participants to what is now being called "The Nation's St. Patrick's Day
Parade."
In 1874, the Constitution Avenue route was established and the march became a
full-scale Parade with Marching Bands, Pipe Bands, our Nation's Military,
Police, and Fire Departments as well as Floats, Novelty Groups and those
marchers wearing green. Trophies are now awarded in a number of categories to
participants.
Traditionally,
the parade is not a forum for political issues. Elected officials march, but
those running for office are not allowed to use the Parade as a campaign site.
The Parade is an
Irish community endeavor that was started by the Irish American Club and is
now held in cooperation with the National Capital Park Service. The President
of the Irish American Club maintains a place on the Board of Directors of the
Parade Committee.
The Parade has
grown both in size and prestige. Through the work of the Parade Committee, a
group of 40 or more dedicated Washingtonians, the two-and-a-half hour
spectacular event is created. Their work begins in September before the March
Parade. In September invitations go out to bands and marching groups and to
sponsors and floats and other groups. In January, the Committee's work begins
in earnest. the Parade's Magazine, considered to be one of the most
professional parade magazines in the nation, is formulated and articles are
solicited from prominent writers reflecting the chosen theme for that year.
The Committee
holds six to eight fundraisers before the parade. Every one of the local pubs
sponsors a parade party. These events are almost as much fun as the parade
itself and are open to the public. Irish musicians, dancers and signers get
everyone in the mood for Parade Day.
Choosing the
Grand Marshal is an important part of the advance planning for the Parade. The
men and women chosen to lead this event must be considered carefully. In 1886,
retiring Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill honored Washington by
being Grand Marshal in what he called, "the last greatest honor of my
Washington career." Included in our distinguished list of Grand Marshals are
Helen Hayes - the First Lady of the American Theater, and John Hume - leader
of the Social Democratic and Labor Party.
Also a tradition
starting with the very first parades is the Gael of the Year, an honor given
to an outstanding person in the Washington DC area who has made a significant
contribution to the community. Some of the past Gaels include Paul Berry - TV
News co-anchor and Humanitarian, Father Eugene Riordan - Educator and
Missionary, and our recently deceased Committee Member, Parade Photographer,
and friend of the Irish Community, Pat "Irish Eyes" Cady.
Everyone
is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and truly this Parade is for everyone. It is a
family day. A day when people come together to enjoy the sharing of culture,
the celebration of being Irish or almost Irish and to enjoy a well-planned,
well-run event that is worth the trip to Constitution Avenue to set the tone
of Spring.
For additional info
visit our friends @ www.dcstpatsparade.com
• PARADE ROUTE
INFO:
From 11:30 am until the end of the parade, at approximately 2:15
pm, Constitution Avenue and all cross-streets from 7th to 17th streets will be
closed to traffic, as well as Madison and Jefferson from 7th to 14th streets.
Click here to view Parade Route Info.
The Parade magazine, featuring the line of march as well as articles of
interest to the Irish community and those who enjoy being Irish on Parade Day,
will be available along the parade route.
If you are a vendor interested in selling along the parade route, please call
the District of Columbia government office responsible for licensing vendors.
If you would like to help out in organizing next year’s parade or becoming a
Committee member, please go to the
Member section of this Website for more information.
If you need additional information, please call the Washington, D.C. St.
Patrick's Day Parade phone line at (202) 637-2474. Leave your name, telephone
number and the nature of your call at the tone. Your message is limited to one
minute.
• Grand Stand Tickets*
Grand stand tickets are available for sale at $5.00. The grand stand is
located next to the Reviewing Stand on the south side of Constitution Avenue
at the Washington Monument Parking entrance (16th Street NW).
Use our automated form to fill out your
ticket request, print it out and mail it to us. Or you can
order your tickets online.
*Tickets will be mailed for orders up to March 5, 2006. After that date ticket
requests should call 301-384-6533 or by e-mail
[email protected]
• Getting to
the Parade
Parking, as for any event downtown is difficult and we recommend
Metrorail (click to view/print map).
The Smithsonian or Federal Triangle exits on the orange/blue lines are
recommended. We also recommend exiting at the Archives/Navy Memorial Metro
stop on the Yellow/Green lines, the Smithsonian stop on the Blue/Orange lines,
or the L'Enfant Plaza stop on the Blue/Orange/Yellow/Green lines.
• Registering Your Unit
Register your unit
for the 2006 Washington, D.C. St. Patrick's Day
Parade.
For additional info
visit our friends @ www.dcstpatsparade.com
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