PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Benjamin Franklin Parkway turned Kelly Green on Sunday as Philadelphians came out for one of the country’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parades.
Sarah Hershey and her three friends attended their first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Philadelphia, and for her, it was a nice change of pace for the weekend.
“Usually, we celebrate by going to McGillins all day. We did that yesterday, so this is definitely more… what’s the word… wholesome. Wholesome. I like it.”
For Mike Callahan, the day was reminiscent of Super Bowl Sunday, as hundreds gathered at St. Patrick’s Church for Sunday Mass. Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez said this year’s theme was “St. Patrick, bless those dedicated to serving others.”
For some, this year’s parade was also a celebration of Philadelphia culture.
“This is a gathering, a celebration of the heritage that goes on usually in the month of March, but this is definitely Super Bowl Sunday,” said Callahan.
Callahan, one of the parade’s organizers, has participated since 1956.
“This is the only ethnic parade that starts with a Catholic Mass. It’s been, around 1771, I think we’re over 200 years old,” said Callahan.
The parade remains an annual expression of tradition, passed down through generations of the city’s Irish and Irish American communities.
Molly Brennan attended her first Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade with her partner and two friends.
“The four of us actually went to a wedding last year in Ireland and it’s cool. It kinda feels like this every day in Ireland in the busier parts,” said Brennan. "So it’s nice to bring a little bit of that here to Philadelphia.”