City of Pawtucket Celebrates 34th Annual Saint Patrick???s Day Parade
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Pawtucket ??? For the 34th year, Pawtucket residents, city officials, elected leaders and visitors gathered to celebrate the first in a series of St. Patrick???s Day parade celebrations around the state.
The parade stepped off at noon from Division Street behind McCoy Stadium and proceeded along Walcott Street in route to Pawtucket City Hall on Roosevelt Avenue where a large, freshly-painted, green shamrock awaited those marching in the parade. The shamrock was recently painted by members of the Saint Patrick???s Day Parade Committee, chaired by Pawtucket State Representative Mary Duffy Messier, along with the Pawtucket Department of Public Works.
The Grand Marshall for this year???s event was Joseph McCabe, who was selected this year after dutifully serving for 33 years as a member of the Parade Committee.
??The annual event was preceded by Guinness Irish 5K road race. The race started at 11:00AM and saw hundreds of people line up in front of City Hall to compete as large crowds lined city streets and sidewalks to watch. The parade featured many participants including: the Douglas Marching Band, the Seekonk High School Marching Band, the Kentish Guard, the Glocester Light Infantry, Rehoboth Minutemen, Federal Blues, Providence Brass Band and the RI Firefighters Pipe & Drum.
?????This event has grown to be a real staple in the community over the last 34 years,??? said Pawtucket Mayor, Donald R. Grebien. ???It feels great to see so many people celebrating in Pawtucket and it is an event that I really enjoy being a part of every year.???