Montrealers revel in St. Patrick's Day fun at 199th parade
The sun managed to peek out – a little bit of luck for thousands of revellers who took to the streets of Montreal Sunday for the 199th St. Patrick's Day Parade.
From Irish dancers, to pipes and drums, to media personalities on floats, some 100 entries took part in the parade. It resulting in a sea of green travelling along de Maisonneuve Boulevard from Fort Street to Jeanne-Mance Street.
- IN PHOTOS: Montreal celebrates St. Patrick's Day
This year's parade was extra special – the rare occasion when the parade falls on St. Patrick's Day.
"It's only been about nine times in the last 30, 40 years," said Kevin Dineen of the United Irish Societies of Montreal, who organized the parade.
The group expected a larger turnout because of the lucky day, and thousands of Montrealers showed up in droves.
Leading the parade was Grand Marshal Mike Kennedy, and Patty McCann served as chief reviewing officer.
Kennedy walked with his friend Liam Reason, a boy with a rare mitochondrial disease. He suffers from seizures and developmental delays.
"It feels great. Overwhelming, to be honest with you. Where we were a few years ago to now. Unbelievable," said Liam's father, Kevin James Reason.
The parade featured the St. Patrick's Queen, Chloe Miller, and her court: Julia Rochford, Madison Lalonde, Mia Simard and Shaeleigh Rose Spracklin.
An RCMP piped band entertains the crowd during the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Montreal, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
Though scattered showers were in the forecast, by the time the first bagpipes started, the sun was peeking through the crowd.
Parade die-hards say they would be here, no matter the weather.
"Through rain, through shine, through freezing temperatures, I'm always here. It's fantastic. It's our day of the year, man," said parade goer George O'Reilly.
- IN PHOTOS: Montreal celebrates St. Patrick's Day
Take a look at all the fun in our photo album – and send us your photos at MontrealDigitalNews@BellMedia.ca
There were about a dozen brand-new floats and groups this year, including the Cote-des-Neiges Black Association.
"We're up to to 95 today, so… definitely we're going back to pre-COVID. So that's exciting," said Dineen.
Whether it's the first or 40th parade, parade goers say the family affair never gets old.
"We've been coming every year since I've been knee-high. Haven't missed a parade yet," said Gail Costigan.
She definitely won't miss next year – when the parade turns 200.
(Olivier Dutrisac)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler arrested at PGA Championship for traffic violation
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested Friday morning on his way to the PGA Championship, with stunning images showing him handcuffed as he was taken to jail for not following police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
Ontario sees first measles death in more than a decade after young child dies
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
'Another pair of eyes watching over me:' How a B.C. woman's guide dog saved her from drowning
A B.C. woman says her guide dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.