42nd Annual Delray Beach St. Patricks Parade

by John Fischer
(Delray Beach)

Delray Beach
St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Two years ago, I inquired about possibly allowing the Professional Firefighters of Palm Beach County (firefighters) lead the annual Delray Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The parade organizer "Festival Management Group" was open, receptive, and supportive of the idea.

Over 100 Firefighters Show Their Love

So just over 100 firefighters from South Florida, led, marched and rode fire apparatus at the front of the Delray Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade, and it was a smashing success!

So much so, that the following year (2010) we attracted firefighters from 47 agencies that spanned the entire United States from as far west as Sacramento, California, and Internationally as far from Ireland and Canada.

Five 20' X 30' flags were hung across Atlantic Avenue by 10 fire department ladder trucks from 10 different South Florida fire departments, representing 10 different South Florida towns, cities, and counties.

Ireland Flag Flying High on Atlantic Avenue
(Photo Courtesy of Joanne Ryan)

Build It and They Will Come!

Antique fire apparatus, modern apparatus, uniformed fire department honor guard teams, uniformed marching firefighters, fire service bagpipe bands marched, unified together, including -- the Dublin Ireland Fire Brigade Pipe Band who flew all the way over from Ireland to join us!

Ireland Fire Brigade Pipe Band
(Photo Courtesy of Joanne Ryan)

Sharing the Delray Beach Love

And while here, they presented the Mayor of Delray Beach a gift from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and then they flew back to Ireland after the parade, to march in their own St. Patrick's Day Parade.

While leading their own parade in Dublin, with an estimated 2 million national citizens watching, the band pipe major presented to their Lord Mayor a key to Delray Beach, which was sent back with the band from the Mayor of Delray.

Fire Safety Clowns

Dalmatian dogs owners, fire safety clowns, motorcycles and many other fire service specialty groups participated and made the Delray Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade, once again, a smashing success!

Looking Forward to 2011

The 2010 St. Patrick's Parade had many children spectators in attendance. We'd like to see this happen again in 2011.

The children need to see this, for a variety of reasons...American Tradition, Honor, Pride, Discipline, Organization, Strength.

Your firefighters will be back at it again next year and in a big way!

Slainte'!!

Check Calendar of Events Page
For Next St. Patrick's Day Parade Dates

Dear Readers: View my Delray Beach Calendar of Events page to see when the next St. Patrick's Day Parade and St. Patrick Day Celebations will be held in downtown Delray Beach.

Pictures of Fun From Past
St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

Go to: St. Patrick's Day 2010.

Go to: Firefighters and St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Go to: 42nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

More Links & More Information

Show our Firefighters and Delray Beach your suppport by joining the St. Patrick's Day Parade Facebook Page!

And here's the Facebook Event Page for Delray Beach International Fire Service St. Patrick's Day Parade. Click the link and join the St. Patrick's Day fun!

Firefighters: Click this link for your St. Patrick's Day Parade information specific for firefighters.

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