Bostonians rage on through chilly St. Patty’s parade
The wind and cold couldn’t keep waves of folks decked out in their Boston and Irish pride from pouring out into the streets of Southie for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
“Can’t say no to a green drink,” Southie resident Brad Keeley chanted emphatically as a round of bagpipes blasted by. “Would never say no to a green drink.”
Boston’s parade, which is part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that trace back to 1737 in the city, started the typical 3.5 mile course through South Boston at 1 p.m., looping from around the Broadway T stop to the Andrew T stop.
As early as noon, thousands of people started to line the route, clutching green boots of beer, rocking shamrock headbands and attempting jigs in the street.
The crowd represented everyone from long time Southie residents stepping out their front doors to travelers in from all over descending on the Hub to participate in the famed tradition.
“A really good atmosphere,” said Steph Riley, a Scottish tourist who came in with family to visit for the weekend. “Reminds me a little of Glasglow,” he said after stepping out of one of Boston’s Irish pubs onto the parade route.
Though, Riley noted wryly, “a lot of people think they’re listening to Irish music, when they’re really listening to Scottish music.”
Boston’s Irish community showed out in force too, reminding the masses the city is still one of the most Irish in the country.
“My mom is 100% Irish, her whole side of the family,” said Ellie Hegeman, a Northeastern student coming out for her first experience with the parade. “But we’ve never gone this hard before.”
The parade showcased and celebrated Irish and Boston culture — along with a good amount of green-themed enthusiasm and fun — lining up school bands, cops on horses, tin men, union members, the Grinch and a lone, leashless golden retriever bedecked in green ribbons.
“Hey Governor Healey!” one young woman yelled, sharing a high-five with the politician as she jogged by.
Bostonians, unsurprisingly, got in on the camaraderie of the event, belting out “Sweet Caroline,” “Take Me Home, Country Road” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” in unison with the floats going by.
“We really enjoy just being here and just kind of the old world European charm of it,” said Emily Montgomery, a quarterIrish visitor in for the parade. “Really brings it back home for me to Ireland. Just really enjoy kind of being with the people and the heritage.”