Irish spirit is out in force at St. Patrick’s celebration
‘What’s great about this parade is that it brings everybody together’
His shillelagh in hand, a green sash strewn across his long black coat, Ron Diano beamed with delight as he surveyed the 193rd edition of Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Diano, secretary of the Erin Sports Association, was among the first to march in Sunday’s parade, but as is his habit, he joined the parade-watchers afterward from the sidelines.
“What’s great about this parade is that it brings everybody together,” Diano said, alluding to the tens of thousands of Irish Montrealers and honorary Irish lining both sides of Ste-Catherine St.
“Yes, this is a celebration of Irish community and culture, but everybody partakes.”
But for Diano, the best part of the parade — the reason he marches every year — is that he gets to see all the young children hoisted on their parents’ shoulders as he waves to the boys and girls.
“It’s a lot of fun seeing the kids all dressed up. That’s what it’s all about,” added Diano, his satin top hat twinkling in the sunlight.
Emily Pilon, a 28-year-old mother from Ahuntsic, showed up to watch the parade with her husband and 18-month-old son, Noah.
“I’m not Irish,” Pilon said, underscoring one of Diano’s points. “I came here four year ago with friends. But this year, I wanted to my son to be here.”
It’s only in the alternate universe of the parade — or perhaps at a Halloween party — that the evil Darth Vader and intrepid Chewbacca would march together, eliciting drunken calls of “Chewie!” from some of the boisterous, universityaged parade-goers.
Or to have those Star Wars characters followed by a marching band, Les Éclairs, playing Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, the drums beating in perfect time.
Organizers have noted with pride that Montreal’s parade is the longest consecutively running St. Patrick’s procession, having first being held in 1824.
It is also one of the largest in the world, with New York’s parade claiming top position.
But this year — with costs climbing and corporate support ebbing — the United Irish Societies of Montreal has resorted to soliciting donations on its website.
Financial issues notwithstanding, organizers once again declared this year’s parade a success, the sunny skies and lack of snow contributing to a better-than-average turnout.