The Art of the Parade
St. Patrick of Ireland
On March 17th 2008, for the 247th consecutive year New York City hosts this big Parade in honor of St. Patrick, a man who supposedly landed on the shores of Ireland somewhere in the 7th century and immediately turned the snakes out of Ireland and converted a thriving local religious culture to one based on the preachings of a desert rabbi, dead about 500 years at that time.
The Irish Wolfhounds of the Fighting 69th
Still, whatever your beliefs about St. Patrick, the Church of which he was a servant, or the current Organization running the Parade, it is an NYC institution worth enjoying. I have attended for a long time, though I no longer make it an annual pilgrimage.
New York City's Finest
NYC Fire Department with flags unfurled
However, this year, my sister Kirsty, a piper and member of the Blackthorn Band, marched in the Parade for the first time. She's been in lots of other parades (8 in the month of March alone) but this is the first time she's been to "The Big Show" as she calls it. I was there, of course, together with MaryAnn Johanson, my niece Meaghan, my friend Sheila Barry, and my cousin Lori, her husband P.J. and P.J.'s brother Ed and his friend Amanda!
This was my chance to really take my new camera for a test spin. Not every shot was successful, but I wasn't unhappy with most of the results.
Some of the motley green crew
While we waited for Kirsty and her band, we were amused by the variety of marchers and the organizations they marched with.
Future "River Dance" performers
The ubiquitous, overdone, yet strangely cheery, high school marching bands
Spectators are as entertaining as the Parade at times
Two Grand Men
Everyone loves Pipers... at least on one day of the year
Pipers, Drummers and Marchers from Galicia
We waited in the cold air for a long time, and then, when she finally came by, it was over so fast, we almost missed it.
The Blackthorn Pipe Band Marches Up Fifth
Kirsty Steps Out -- and is actually in step!
Joe is Pounding on the Big Base Drum
An emotional finish
I swear... you could see all the wayto Ireland!
A Great Day for the Irish and All of Us!
