The greening of America: St. Patrick's Day parades bring out the Irish in everyone

Travel America, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Alice Ross

NEW YORK

New York City's parade continues a tradition begun before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It's the country's largest, with upwards of 150,000 marchers and millions of viewers either along the route or watching on television. The military escort leading the pageantry is always the Irish 165th Infantry (originally the Fighting 69th). The parade has never been cancelled; through fair weather or foul, bare-legged baton twirlers strut by and grown men wrestle the wind for control of their flags and banners as they make their way up Fifth Avenue--where the white stripe has been painted green--from 44th to 86th Street. Always held on March 17--unless it falls on a Sunday--the parade features about 175 bands from all over the world and has even included the Tokyo bagpipe band. (718) 793-1600, www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/nyc/ newyorkcity.htm.

TEXAS

San Antonio celebrates twice, with a street parade on March 12 and another on the river on March 13. The latter floats by for about 10 miles along the San Antonio River--dyed green for the occasion--ending at the Arneson River Theater along the Riverwalk. The street parade, an eclectic mix of marching units, floats, antique cars and more, wends through downtown for two to three hours. On St. Patrick's Day, the Harp and Shamrock Society sponsors a solemn ceremony honoring the men who died at the Alamo, many of whom were Irish. (210) 656-2666, www.harpandshamrock.org.