St. Patrick’s parade fun set for March 16 in Hudson
The annual Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade will mark its 10th anniversary this year and parade organizers are launching a full slate of Irish festivities.
The Hudson parade is set for Saturday, March 16, one day before Montreal’s downtown green bash, which falls on St. Patrick’s Day this year.
“We are aiming to make this the best and the biggest community celebration,” organizing committee chairman Jay de la Durantaye said. “What started as a little parade has grown into a marquee festival that shows the strength and vitality of this community.”
This year’s parade Grand Marshal is Global Television anchor Jamie Orchard. Orchard will be honoured at the traditional Grand Marshal’s Roast & Toast evening on March 2. She also will lead the parade on Saturday, March 16.
To mark the 10-year milestone, the organizing committee ”felt it was time to start a new tradition” by selecting Brenda O’Farrell, a St-Lazare resident and former Montreal Gazette journalist, as the event’s first Irishwoman of the Year.
Montreal radio host Jay Farrar was named the 2019 parade’s Chief Reviewing Officer. Farrar is technical director and host at CJAD Radio and a host on TSN Radio 690.
This year’s festivities kicked off this past Saturday with the inaugural Irish Breakfast.
The official call for applications to be Queen of the Hudson St. Patrick’s parade was also launched. The role of Queen features public speaking and community involvement. Online applications for Queen are being accepted at www. hudsonparade.ca. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 15.
Other events leading up to the Hudson parade include:
Irish Mingle set for Saturday, Feb. 9, at Cunningham’s Pub, beginning at 1 p.m.
The Queen’s Selection Night on Sunday, Feb. 24, at Auberge Willow Inn.
The Grand Marshal’s Roast and Toast on Saturday, March 2, at the Whitlock Golf Club.
The Irishwoman of the Year Gala on Saturday, March 9, at the Whitlock Golf Club
Tickets must be reserved for all events. For more details visit the parade’s website: hudsonparade.ca.