Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Get your Irish on!
The City of Buffalo is getting ready for two St. Patrick day parades this weekend and a lot of hooley in between.
"We're expecting a big crowd just because of the weather," said Denise Pikuzinski, Executive Director of The Valley Community Association. "We're loving it. Even if it rains, it beats some of the weather we've had in the past."
The parade time has changed. "It begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Streets in the Old First Ward will shut down at 9 a.m. It starts at The Valley Community Center at 93 Leddy Street. It encompasses all of the original areas that Irish immigrants came to in the Old First Ward," said Pikuzinski.
After the parade, everyone is invited for hooley. "Hooley is an Irish party. We have an Irish band, and Irish dancers. We're going to have corned beef sandwiches, Irish potatoes and a lot of fun for everyone."
Hooley parties are planned after the parade at The Valley Center and Tewksbury Lodge on Ohio Street and at numerous bars along the way.
Sunday is Buffalo's big St. Patrick's Day parade on Delaware Avenue. Pikuzinski said the two parades don't compete with each other, but instead complement each other.
"People come out to have fun. They're here to show off their Irish heritage. Or they're not Irish and want to be for the day. Typically we have between 90 and 100 contingents. It's quite long."