From the Office of the Mayor:
“Parade Day is a time for us to celebrate Irish culture and the many contributions Irish-Americans have made to our community,” said Mayor Ryan. “This has become an especially important event here in Binghamton, as thousands of revelers come to celebrate from across the city and around the region.”
This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, March 2nd at 1:30pm, and additional events will run throughout the day. Please read on for full details:
PARADE DAY MASS: A Parade Day Mass will take place at 11:30am at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, which is located at 29 Fayette Street.
CHOW FOOD COLLECTION: At 1:15pm, a CHOW truck will drive the parade route collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations.
PARADE: The parade will kick off at 1:30pm, proceeding from the Court/Fayette Street intersection to the Main/Arthur Street intersection. The procession will include several pipe bands, a variety of Irish dance groups, the Binghamton Kazoo Band, floats, youth marching groups, local law enforcement and fire departments, and elected officials.
The Grand Marshals will be Mark and Maureen Kadlecik, the Maid of Erin will be Marlee Kathryn Burr and the Official Starter will be Binghamton Police Patrolman Bryan McMahon. Other representatives from the City of Binghamton will include Mayor Ryan, City Council members and representatives of the Binghamton Police Department and Binghamton Fire Department.
POST-PARADE PARTY: From 2:00—6:00pm, parade participants are encouraged to stop by Seton Catholic Central High School (70 Seminary Avenue) for the annual post-parade party, which includes refreshments, food and entertainment. Several pipe bands and the Mummers-Avalon String Band will be playing. Admission is free of charge for children under 12, and $5 for adults, with all proceeds going to cover parade costs.
EMERALD SOCIETY CELEBRATION: The Emerald Society will host a Parade Day celebration at the Holiday Inn Arena from 3:30—11:30pm. The featured bands will be the New York City Police Department’s Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, and Friends. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Admission includes refreshments, with all proceeds going to local charities, scholarship funds and to cover celebration expenses. To buy tickets before Parade Day, call the Binghamton Police Department at (607) 772-7080.
ENSURING A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE PARADE DAY: The City reminds citizens that it will not tolerate any disorderly conduct, interference with parade participants or open containers of alcohol in undesignated public areas. Designated public areas for open containers will include parts of State Street that will be identified the day of the parade. The Campus/Community Coalition—which includes City officials, BU’s Off-Campus College, local business owners and residents—has coordinated to urge acceptable behavior by everyone at the parade.
