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
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
4 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Four people died and at least 35 were hurt in a tornado that devastated a small town in Iowa on Tuesday, officials said.
Poverty report cards: Which provinces got the worst grades?
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.