Sunday, March 16, 2014

St. Patrick's Day Parade……….



Today, instead of the planned Part II (I'll post it 
later) of the recent walk through interesting 
downtown Raleigh, you get to see what was happening 
there yesterday. 
On the most perfect morning, brilliant sunshine, 
temperature around 52F (which warmed into the 70's by 
afternoon), we threw on some green and headed out to 
watch the St. Patrick's Day parade.

Took plenty of pics as the colorful two hour parade 
marched, trotted, drove and danced its away along the 
route - here are some you might enjoy. 
The turnout, as always, was huge for this always fun day, 
the good weather bringing out more people from all 
around North Carolina and some states beyond.

The parade is always held on the Saturday closest to March 17, 
the official St.Patrick's Day.




 There were what appeared to be well over a hundred 
cute dogs in the parade this year, most were groups 
from animal rescue organizations - Irish Wolfhounds, 
Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Greyhounds, 
Pit Bulls, and of course my favorites, the Basset Hounds. 


Cheers for all the groups of the prettiest Irish 
dancers - there are at least three schools here as 
it's a very popular type of dance.


Moving……………


Music………these great Irish musicians (above) came all the 
way from Ohio to entertain us, thanks guys!



Making a fashion statement………




Marching…………


………everyone loves a parade and 'wearing of the green'………
and stopping at the best local Irish pub for lunch 
before heading home added to our fun day out in the city!




St. Patrick depicted in stained glass 
window in St. Benin's Church, Ireland
Erin Go Bragh


12 comments:

  1. It looked like a wonderful parade Mary! You captured it perfectly.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  2. Thank you for sharing the parade with us, it's just awesome!! Wish I had been there!

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  3. That looks like a really fun parade and I'm glad the weather was so nice for it. Thanks for taking pics and sharing them.

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  4. Lovely dear! Beautiful pictures as always, you're really talented with that camera. I did also enjoy the St. Pat's parade uptown Charlotte. Close to almost three hours of beautiful floats, people, and music. This was actually the very first St. Pat's parade I had attended. I really enjoyed it! I'm glad you had a wonderful time! Love ~ Vanessa xo

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  5. Ohhhh!!! What fun. This looks like an excellent parade and celebration. The pictures are wonderful!

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  6. The parade looks like oh so much fun. For some reason we don't ever do anything to celebrate this day.
    I would thoroughly enjoy standing there with you seeing the musicians and dancers go by. I can almost hear the music.

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  7. Looks like you had a pretty day for a parade! Nothing but grey, cold & rain here...so thanks for sharing your pics!

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  8. Well that was a very lovely parade - thank you for taking us there.

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  9. What a great parade, Mary. I love seeing the bagpipers and the Irish dancers. And the rescue dogs...how cute. A great way to bring awareness to the cause.

    The Southside Chicago Irish Parade takes place on the Sunday before St, Paddy's Day, so today it was...just blocks away. Many braved it in the low 20 degree weather. And many have "Open Houses" where they casually serve corned beef, cabbage and boiled vegetables. Irish soda bread and plenty of Guiness and Bailey's with coffee. Emily had her first open house and I hope she'll let me swipe some pictures! :) Tomorrow is the big parade downtown but ours is much more fun!

    XO,
    Jane

    XO,
    Jane

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  10. Fantastic Mary! I love this parade, it is always fun to see a community get behind an event with spirit and they certainly have done that. Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day from Saigon! Jeanne 😊

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  11. Looks like a grand time! Thanks for sharing with us! Happy St. Paddy's Day to you, sweetie.

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  12. What a fun parade to watch. Love those Irish dancers in their pretty costumes.

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