Every year on March 17th, Irish-Canadians (and the fair-weathered Irish) celebrate their heritage and culture with an array of Gaelic activities. Among those festivities, exists the oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Canada. Despite rain, economic depression, and wartime, the United Irish Societies of Montreal has hosted the parade every year since 1824.   

At 12 p.m. families gather along the parade route with lawn chairs and picnic baskets in hand, poised to watch the floats and musical acts march by. The Grand Marshall commences the parade alongside a large replica of St. Patrick and is followed by a three-hour long procession of floats, bands, and cultural groups.

The parade begins at the corner of Fort and St. Catherine and is free and open to the public. Sidewalk space fills quickly, so arrive early for good seats. As the Irish say, “May you never forget what is worth remembering,” and this parade is definitely worth remembering.

What: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Fort and St. Catherine’s Streets
When: March 18^th, 2012
URL: http://st-patricks-day.com/st_patricks_day_parades_canada_montreal.html

Recommended Hotel: Hotel du Fort