The Annual Lexington St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sponsored by the Bluegrass Irish Society

PARADE HISTORY

Irish-American immigrants brought Saint Patrick’s Day to the United States.  The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737.  The first celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756.  In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on March 17.  This event became known as “The St. Patrick’s Day Encampment of 1780.

Today, Saint Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated in the United States by Irish and non-Irish alike.  Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-colored clothing and items.  Traditionally, those of Irish ancestry who are caught not wearing are pinched.

The Bluegrass Irish Society was formed in 1980 and initiated the St. Patrick’s Day Parade as its first activity.  The parade gained instant credibility when then Governor John Y. Brown and first lady Phyllis George Brown co-sponsored it and arranged to have Ed McMahon from the Johnny Carson Show to be our first Grand Marshal.  The rest, as they say, is history.

The 30^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day is ready to go on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday March 14, 2009.  It is the continuation of a community wide event started in 1980 and one that has been contributing to make Lexington a great place to live and work.

We welcome community minded volunteers to join in organizing the parade.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ACCEPTANCE

The parade committee has received tremendous support from the media over the years.  We have been fortunate to have had the support of every mayor and administration since 1980.

The Bluegrass Irish Society is proud of its record of honoring individuals and organizations for their contributions to our community by naming them Grand Marshals of the parade.  Recent honorees included an Dr. Pearce Lyons an Irish immigrant who started Alltech Biotechnology that has created hundreds of jobs and who is also helping sponsor the Alltech 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, founders of the Sister City Program, LFUCG Police and Firefighters and their families, Special Olympians and military units from central Kentucky that have been mobilized for service in the Middle East.  We think it is important to honor these individuals and organizations.

Over the years, tens of thousands of Central Kentuckians have participated in the parade and many more have enjoyed watching it.  We have avoided having vendors, food and beverage booths, etc. along the parade route in order to provide a hassle free fun environment for families to enjoy the first major event of the Spring in the Bluegrass.

 Anyone who has had the privilege of riding down the street and looking into the faces along the parade route, especially the children, knows why the Bluegrass Irish Society has put all the effort into it for the past 28 years and are willing to continue to provide it free to the community.