More Than 1 Million Attend South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade
BOSTON (CBS) – Crowds of people packed the streets of South Boston for the city's signature St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday. According to Mayor Marty Walsh's Office, more than one million people attended.
"It means a lot. My whole family is Irish. It's a great day to celebrate in South Boston" said Colin Bombard of Braintree.
Another woman yelled, "Irish pride!"
The annual parade stepped off outside the West Broadway T station. The route stretched 3.5 miles.
Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and UFC star Conor McGregor were among those who marched.
Gov. Baker added the parade was a reminder of Evacuation Day. "This is about the end of the British serge in Boston, which really was driven in many respects by what happened up on Dorchester Heights the dragging of those 60 tons of munitions from Fort Ticonderoga to here," he said.
This year, parade organizers said they wanted to focus less on the party and more on its military roots. Boston Police were out in full force during the parade.
Bars planned to keep a close eye on patrons. Staff at The Broadway entered the day preparing to serve close to 2,500 people on Sunday. They said they had plenty of green beer to go around.
"You've got a lot of people inside, got a lot of people outside, so we have to make sure they don't combine and we lose control of that," said bar manager John Carbonneau.
The weather cooperated on Sunday. Call it the luck of the Irish.
Boston Police only made three arrests, ranging from disorderly conduct to a minor in possession of alcohol.
Parade OPS concluded. Great work by everyone. Multiple transports, but all minor. We hope everyone had a great day.
— Boston EMS (@BOSTON_EMS) March 17, 2019
Boston EMS said they transported multiple people, but there were no serious injuries.
The annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast was held on Sunday morning. This is the first year it was hosted at the Flynn Cruiseport.
A St. Patrick's Day event wouldn't be complete without #irishstepdancers Round of ???????????????????????? for Woods School of Irish Step at the #118 #spdbreakfast hosted by Sen. Nick Collins for the 1st time. @wbz pic.twitter.com/py2fhFwydn
— TashaneaWhitlowNews (@TSWHITLOW) March 17, 2019
This was the 118th annual version of the event. Jokes were flying from the politicians.
Baker took a playful jab at Sen. Elizabeth Warren's recent DNA test.
"The official results of that DNA test: I am 1/1000th Republican," Baker joked.
Former Vice President Joe Biden recorded a video message for the event, while others such as Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Walsh, and Rep. Stephen Lynch all took the stage.
This marked State Sen. Nick Collins' first time hosting the breakfast.