Seventy-six percent of Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day each year, particularly in the beloved city of Pittsburgh, PA. According to the official website of Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Pennsylvania historian Michael R. Murphy notes that some of the earliest records of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Pittsburgh date back to 1869. While the exact date of the first parade is unknown, this year marks approximately the 154th anniversary of the event.
The parade begins at the Greyhound Bus Station located at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street. It proceeds through Pittsburgh to the Boulevard of the Allies and finally concludes at Commonwealth Place.
Junior Miranda Schury stated, “I’ve been to the Pittsburgh parade before; it’s very well-organized. It’s welcoming and friendly, and the representation of Irish culture is very well done.”
The parade began at 10 a.m., with street closures starting as early as 7 a.m. It lasted around three and a half hours and was a major success.
More than 200 marching units, bands and floats paraded through downtown Pittsburgh for the occasion. The unseasonably warm weather played a significant role in the turnout this year, attracting about 500,000 attendees who lined the streets.
“I’ve never been to the parade, but I have family members who have been. I didn’t know much about it until recently, but I would definitely be interested in going. It would be a good display of my culture,” added Sophomore Melia Stockdale.
To secure a good spot, many people had to get to the street early in the morning, as well as pack food, drinks and other amenities to face the long day ahead.
Since the parade’s inception, there has always been a Grand Marshal to lead the event; this year, it is Jeff “Mac” McCafferty. In his 30s, McCafferty joined the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh and has served for over 35 years, holding roles as both Chief Marshal and Chairman of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee.
McCafferty is also a member of the Knights of Equity and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, both Catholic fraternal organizations that represent Irish culture in America. Additionally, he serves on the Years of Remembrance Committee, which highlights the Great Famine and its lasting effects, and on the Irish-American Unity Conference, which seeks to promote unity in Ireland.
“This is what I am meaning when we talk about building a welcoming city, making sure we celebrate all cultures,” commented Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, in a CBS interview.
In the past, parades typically ended at St. Paul’s Cathedral and were never held on Sundays. The routes have changed significantly over the years, but Pittsburgh has made St. Patrick’s Day a part of its own culture, and it will be enjoyed by many generations for years to come.
