New York City prepares for 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade, the oldest in the world
NEW YORK -- New York City's historic St. Patrick's Day Parade marches through Manhattan on Saturday.
The 2024 parade, marking the tradition's 263rd year, is happening the day before St. Patrick's Day in order to observe the Sunday Sabbath.
The parade steps off at 11 a.m. on 44th Street and marches up Fifth Avenue before ending around 4:30 p.m. near 79th Street. Barricades are already in position.
It's the oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world. The first was held 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
"Bear in mind, the Irish community of New York has marched on the streets every single year since 1762," said Hilary Beirne, founding chairman of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Foundation.
Mayor Eric Adams joined parade organizers and this year's grand marshal, Heineken President and CEO Margaret Timoney, at the traditional flag-raising ceremony in Bowling Green Park.
"This is the Dublin of America. The largest number of Irish Americans live in New York City. We should be proud of that, and your contributions are rich," said Adams.
"In the great words of Cillian Murphy, I am a proud Irish woman. He was a proud Irish man, so up cork and up mayo," said Timoney.
An estimated 150,000 marchers and 2 million spectators will attend the main event Saturday.
"We are here in New York for 262 years. We plan to be here for another 262," said Beirne. "This parade has survived the war of revolution in this country. It predates this country by 14 years."
The parade draws spectators from around the world, especially Ireland.
"This parade isn't just a procession, it's a testament to the enduring Irish pride that fills our city," said Edward Mermelstein, New York City's commissioner of international affairs.
"This is one of the greatest cities in the world and it has done so much for our people in our country and we are here to say well done," said Shane O'Reilly.
NYPD said there are no credible threats to the parade, but security will still be tight. Reinforcements will be coming from across the state.
"We will have assets you can see. We will have assets that you can't see," said Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.
Staten Island will host its second St. Patrick's Day parade, which will allow LGBTQ groups to march, on Sunday. LGBTQ groups were banned from marching under their banner at the annual parade on March 3.