But there are other mass displays of Irish pride across the region in this season of St. Patrick, all smaller events than Boston’s but no less hearty and green. Several parades were scheduled to take place the past few days – in Yarmouth and Providence on March 9, and Worcester on March 10 – but most are coming up this week and next. Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which this year takes place on Sunday, is one of the granddaddies of American Irish celebrations, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to South Boston each year to hear bagpipes and brass bands and see dancers, military units, politicians (including the ceremonial “Mayor of Southie”), and others march or ride in colorful floats down Broadway. If you haven’t been in Southie for one of these spectacles, you haven’t been in Boston. Advertisement Newport, R.I., holds its 63rd parade on Saturday, starting at the City Hall at 11 a.m. Organizers tout this annual event as the longest-running (unbroken) St. Patrick’s Day parade in New England. For more information, visit discovernewport.org. The 40th Abington St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. in Abington Center, at the corner of Orange and Washington streets. Visit abingtonstpatricksdayparade.org or eddiebaileysgarage.com (Jack Bailey, owner of Eddie Bailey’s Garage in Abington, has been the driving force behind the annual parade). The town of Scituate, one of the most Irish in the state, also hosts a parade on Sunday. The procession starts at 1 p.m. at Gates Middle School on First Parish Road and ends at Hatherly Road by Satuit Tavern. When the weather is just right, there’s none prettier than Scituate’s cheerful walk by the water. Visit weloveaparade.com and scituatechamber.org. If you want to venture farther from Boston, Holyoke’s 68th St. Patrick’s Day Parade, designated by the Library of Congress as a “Local Legacy” event, also falls on Sunday. The highly touted, well-attended display begins at noon near Kmart on North Hampton Street and lasts about two hours as it streams through the city. Visit holyokestpatricksparade.com. Advertisement Boston’s parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday near the Broadway MBTA station. The route typically takes marchers from West Broadway to East Broadway, ending near Farragut Road. West Broadway between F and Dorchester streets is a popular spot from which to view and cheer on the marchers. This year, the marchers will include Haley Dillon, a local resident who was declared the 2019 Mayor of Southie after she raised the most money — $17,566. Visit southbostonparade.org. Lawrence has a fledgling parade on March 23 starting at 1 p.m. near Essex and Amesbury streets and ending at Relief’s In on Market Street. Visit facebook.com/LawrenceStPatricksDayParade. Indoors, if you love Irish music as much as we do, go see Matt and Shannon Heaton at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday at 8 p.m. The Boston-based husband-and-wife duo sing traditional songs and play instrumentals on guitar, flute, and bouzouki. The show is in a cabaret lounge on the third floor of the center, 37 Main St. Visit rockportmusic.org. In Bridgewater, storyteller Davis Bates will be at the public library, 15 South St., on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to present “A Celtic Celebration: Songs and Stories for the Season.” The program will include “traditional songs and tales from Ireland and other Celtic cultures, sea songs & chanteys, ghost stories and family tales,” according to the library. Visit bridgewaterpubliclibrary.org. Advertisement In Northborough, the public library’s “Spring Music Series” features Jeff Snow performing in a program called “The Softer Side of Celtic,” comprising traditional and original pieces, on Saturday at 2 p.m. Like the storytelling program in Bridgewater, Snow’s concert is free at the library, 34 Main St. Visit northboroughlibrary.org. L. Kim Tan can be reached at tan@globe.com.<doc-sep>Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor had to be hustled off the St. Patrick’s Day parade route after excited fans started to push through steel street gates. “Conor McGregor was a late addition to a parade, which was a mistake,” state Sen. Nick Collins told the Herald. “He didn’t get very far before police had to dismiss him from the parade.” After McGregor got out of his car — which was promoting his brand of whiskey — and crowds surged toward him, cops directed McGregor go back into his car and turn up L Street toward the Seaport and away from the parade, Collins said. “They were having breakdowns along the parade route,” Collins said of the police. “It was a headache for them that was unsustainable.” An irate Collins said he wanted to talk to the parade’s organizers, the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, about what happened. BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: The Area 51 Majorette Dance Team performs during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Members of the Open Plains Dance Studio of East Hartford, Connecticut, perform during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: A performer dressed as a leprechaun plays the tambourine during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch attends the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Trash lines the street during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Gov. Charlie Baker, his wife, Lauren, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: An out-of-state firefighter is cheered on as he chugs a beer during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: A reveler waves a flag with Irish colors and a shamrock during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Revelers react as firefighters approach them during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: A soldier waves from a vehicle during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Spectators cheer during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Thomas, left, and Niamh Egan, both of Dublin, Ireland, said they came to Boston to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Members of the Mass. Maritime Academy high-five spectators during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Lexington Minutemen react as confetti falls during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Mackenzie Allen, 8, left, Noah Minsk, 9, Shea Allen, 11, and Jacob Minsk, 11, blow horns during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2019 in South Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) Sharon Keely, left, of Dublin, watches as participants march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Boston, MA 03/19/17) Revelers enjoy the annual Boston Saint Patrick's Day parade in South Boston on Sunday, March 19, 2017. Staff photo by Nicolaus Czarnecki “Some bad decisions were made,” Collins said. “We’re going to have to sit down as officials and talk about what went wrong.” David Falvey, commander of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, and Bryan Bishop, the council’s parade organizer, didn’t immediately return calls for comment Sunday night. McGregor, a Dublin native who was in town after dropping the puck at the Bruins game Saturday night, was cheering to the crowd from the top of a vehicle and waving an Irish flag. But speaking about the parade overall, Officer James Kenneally, a Boston police spokesman, told the Herald parade revelers were “pretty well behaved,” considering the crowd estimated at over a million. Kenneally said there were three arrests, one for assault and battery, another for disorderly conduct and the last for underaged drinking. All told, cops issued 88 citations for public drinking. The Daly family traveled up from New Jersey to see what they say is one of the best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country. Jenny Daly said her husband is Irish so for the past five years they have traveled across the U.S. visiting St. Patrick’s Day parades. “We like it because it’s a nonsecular holiday, anyone can celebrate it,” Daly said. “Our country is so divided, but here you can come out and have a good time together.” Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh echoed her sentiments. “There is so much diversity here, people from every background and nationality having a party in the city of Boston,” said Walsh. “It’s a great day, full of spirit and good people.” Police Commissioner William Gross said marching in the parade is like celebrating with family. “I started as a rookie here so I’ve been here since 1985 so for me I have well over 40 to 50 families I say hi to every year and so it’s like a welcome home for me,” Gross said. The parade capped off a day of festivities, following a serving of political barbs at the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast, emceed by state Collins at the Flynn Cruiseport in South Boston. City Council President Andrea J. Campbell said the Cruiseport was a fitting setting for the fete, “because it’s clear the humor set sail years ago.” Walsh jumped on the recent college admissions exam scam to take a shot at Gov. Charlie Baker, joking that his across-the-aisle buddy was admitted to Harvard University “by checking off the box that said progressive Democrat.” Baker, for his part, quipped he took a page “from the (U.S. Sen.) Elizabeth Warren playbook and took a DNA test. I am one one-thousandth Republican.”<doc-sep>
The city of Boston celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the 118th South Boston parade. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets for the annual parade, which began at 1 p.m. Sunday. Attendance could have possibly topped 1 million, as it has in years past.The first MBTA commuter rail train from Worcester brought a large crowd into the city.Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh all marched in the parade. "The Irish people are celebrating history and tradition, and everybody else is celebrating Boston," Walsh said. "It's great because there's so much diversity. Everyone is Irish today in Boston. "Former UFC double champion and Dublin native Conor McGregor made an appearance in the parade.McGregor dropped the ceremonial puck before the Bruins' overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.Ireland's Carraroe Fire Brigade also appeared in the parade.The parade kicked off on West Broadway at the Broadway MBTA Station and continued left onto East Broadway, right onto P Street, right onto East Fourth Street, left onto K Street, right onto East Fifth Street, left onto G Street, right onto Thomas Park, right onto Telegraph Street, left onto Dorchester Street and ended at Dorchester Avenue.StormTeam 5 forecast sunny but chilly conditions for the parade. Meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said the wind chill could make the temperature feel 8 degrees lower, but the weather should still feel relatively mild in areas of sunlight.Boston police officers were on the parade route to assist the public with any safety concerns.Police reported three arrests during in the parade with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to a minor in possession of alcohol. The city of Boston celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the 118th South Boston parade. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets for the annual parade, which began at 1 p.m. Sunday. Attendance could have possibly topped 1 million, as it has in years past. The first MBTA commuter rail train from Worcester brought a large crowd into the city. First Worcester train for the parade !! pic.twitter.com/zDZNXTgrOA — MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) March 17, 2019 Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh all marched in the parade. "The Irish people are celebrating history and tradition, and everybody else is celebrating Boston," Walsh said. "It's great because there's so much diversity. Everyone is Irish today in Boston." Former UFC double champion and Dublin native Conor McGregor made an appearance in the parade. McGregor dropped the ceremonial puck before the Bruins' overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. .@TheNotoriousMMA made quite the entrance last night... Re-live his ceremonial puck drop ☘️ pic.twitter.com/ZO156rIMzE — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 17, 2019 We had the luck of the Irish on our side last night. ☘️ @TheNotoriousMMA | #BehindTheB pic.twitter.com/1Q68rDiLHU — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 17, 2019 Ireland's Carraroe Fire Brigade also appeared in the parade. The parade kicked off on West Broadway at the Broadway MBTA Station and continued left onto East Broadway, right onto P Street, right onto East Fourth Street, left onto K Street, right onto East Fifth Street, left onto G Street, right onto Thomas Park, right onto Telegraph Street, left onto Dorchester Street and ended at Dorchester Avenue. StormTeam 5 forecast sunny but chilly conditions for the parade. Meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said the wind chill could make the temperature feel 8 degrees lower, but the weather should still feel relatively mild in areas of sunlight. Boston police officers were on the parade route to assist the public with any safety concerns. The men and women of the #BPD are all along the parade route and, as always, honored and proud to safeguard and protect all attending the St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston!!! If you see anything suspicious, please say something to one of our officers. pic.twitter.com/TYsKu0p2Yl — Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) March 17, 2019 Police reported three arrests during in the parade with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to a minor in possession of alcohol.