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Photos - St. Patrick's Day Parade
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2011 St.
Patrick’s Day Parade
For the second time
in as many years, Union Firefighters dressed in turnout gear marched in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in
Downtown Buffalo. Followed by Union Engine 1 and Chief Vehicles, marchers
made the trek down Delaware Ave.
on Sunday March 20, 2011.
Union Fire Chief Jeff Warner, and numerous Union Officers and
Firefighters sported the irish green along with their turn out gear in
participating in the parade for the second time. Union
through organization of Chief Warner and others first participated in the
annual Irish tradition last year.
The
St. Patrick's Day Parade, sponsored by the United Irish
American Association, is billed as Buffalo's largest celebration of Irish
heritage. The 2:00 P.M. Parade travels down Delaware Avenue from Buffalo's City Hall and ends at North Street.
Thousands of spectators, regardless of what Buffalo Weather may offer, come
out each year for the parade and watch Irish dancers, bands, civic
organizations, and others march proudly by in celebration and in honor of St.
Patrick.
First
held on March 17, 1913, when a group of Buffalo's
Irish immigrants decided to manifest their allegiance to both their native
and their adopted countries, the Buffalo St. Patrick's Day Parade pays
tribute to the patron saint of Ireland. First Parade Marshal
Mike Quinn led a group of 5,000 marchers from the Elk Street Market Terminal
to Euclid Place
and back in sub-zero temperatures. After a hiatus from 1917 - 1935, the
parade has been held every year since 1935, with the exception of World War
II years (1942-45). The Parade was postponed for a week only once, in 1997,
when more than 18 inches of snow fell and wind chills of 30 below threatened
frostbite. Today four generations have worn the top hat, worn cutaways, and
carried the blackthorn that belonged to Mike Quinn. Today the parade is
always held the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day (March 17).
The United Irish
American Association works with the City of Buffalo each year to organize the parade,
and each year the UIAA selects a grand marshal from among its members. The
parade route was moved from Main
Street to Delaware Avenue in 1981 to allow for
more spectators.
Photos of Union in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown
Buffalo
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