Sunny skies balanced out the colder temps on Sunday as the streets of South Boston were filled with parade revelers. According to the Boston Globe, a million people had been expected. No official count of parade attendees has been released yet. But all in all – the crowds were large, fired up, and ready to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade organizers brought their A-Game this year with the addition of lots more marching bands, pipes + drums, live bands, and family-friendly groups!
Here are some parade day snippets witnessed or reported to CIS.
Mayor of Southie Greg Lally had a sweet ride
2023 Mayor of Southie Greg Lally was not messing around on parade day. He rode in the back of a vintage Cadillac convertible looking very much like a badass – which he is. He raised $40K for the parade thus clenching the coveted Mayor of Southie title!
BORG’s
Caught in Southie writer, Grace O’Brien’s prediction was correct. Lots of Tik Tok’s newest alcohol trend jugs of BORG – Black Out Rage Gallon were spotted on the parade route. Lots of young adults strolling the streets swigging out of gallon jugs – nothing says a good time like blacking out.
Fist Fights
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day – and with that in mind – maybe the whole Fighting Irish stereotype was taken literally on Sunday. We personally witness a group of ten drunk 18-20-year-olds, brawling on M Street. BPD broke up a number of donnybrooks around the neighborhood post-parade.
Southie Dogs Love a Parade
Even the dogs of South Boston like to celebrate parade day!
images via WoofpackBoston on Instagram
BPD out in Full Force
The Boston police were out in full force on Sunday – with several uniformed officers along the parade route. Also, a large team of BPD on bicycles cleared out a “festival amount” of teens and young adults whooping it up at M Street Park. The Globe is reporting that as of late Sunday afternoon, only four arrests had been made. Not bad at all considering the size of the crowd.
Cars parked on the route
Where not sure how this happened. But there were some cars parked on the parade route on East Fifth between H and G. We are also hearing that cars on Sixth Street were towed to clear the street for the route. There may have been a mix-up or miscommunication. The parade route was proposed for Sixth Street then moved back to Fifth Street.
Risky Business plus yelling + screaming
Why do some parade-goers like to risk life and limb for roof-top viewing? And why do others need to scream when they celebrate? Check out this video of this crew acting up in the BK parking lot.
Photo via Bret Clancy on Instagram.
The man on the horse with his dog was back in the neighborhood
Last year, post-parade Gerry Scott, his horse, Hercules and Molly, the yellow lab shared some love in the neighborhood! Horses Over America – a creative partnership between 850 police departments and 850 of New England’s horse owners who volunteer their horses, trailers, and time to change the landscape of mental health – through horse therapy! Well, the trio was back spreading joy in the parade!
Image via PK Eats on Instgram
The Nazis were a no-show
Local Pols and MBTA officials succeeded in their goal to keep hate groups from showing up at the parade. To refresh your memory, last year, a group of about 15-20 people wearing neo-Nazi symbols and holding a sign that read, “Keep Boston Irish” were spotted on West Broadway during the parade. Needless to say, parade-goers were outraged and took to social media to call attention to their presence.
The Dropkick Murphys were also less than pleased with the neo-Nazi group for using their song, “the Boys are Back” in parade day video. They took to social media calling them “losers” and threatening to “smash” them. This led to the M Street Park Rumble that never was.
Paying their Respects at South Boston Vietnam Memorial
Gov. Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, Chief Marshal of the Parade, and veterans advocate Coleman Nee stopped during the parade to pay their respects to the 25 fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.
This photo was captured by the Boston Globe via Photographer NATHAN KLIMA
Check out our recap of the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast here!
main image via Bret Clancy
Did we miss your favorite or not-so-favorite parts of parade day? Send us an email via [email protected]
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Parade was great this year. The out right public drinking needs to be addressed. Sorry need to start enforcing and fining people. If they did this I bet we’d see a decrease in our property taxes with the revenue generated.
I agree with George. I witnessed people drinking right in front of police. Stumbling drunk people walking around East Broadway. There also needs to be some sort of “ports- potty” situation in more places. I also witnessed people trying to urinate in public places. Takes away from the experience.
The organizers places over 150 of them around the neighborhood. Previous parades there were 40-50 around
Great seeing the ongoing commitment to honoring our Vietnam Veterans. Tommy Lyons will make sure people never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice!
When did the MAYOR OF SOUTHIE begin? I don’t remember it growing up as a kid. Who was the First? Southie Boy!
There were also at least 3x cars parked on Telegraph that were never towed. I’ve never seen that happen before . . . also, what was the deal with the “SHAME ON WU” rogue group that apparently jumped in around G Street? I wish BPD had bounced them immediately.
Making a comment on the M” Street park – Medal of Honor Park problem. It is my understanding that the T (or whoever) was sending shuttles to South Station to help the visitors get to the parade. I was told that they were all dropped off at “M” Street Park. Gee, why was there a problem there. I don’t believe that City Point ever had any major problems during the parade. You take a bunch of underage kids probably from different neighborhoods and bus them all to one park. Great idea.
There were eight cars on Fourth Street between K and L Streets, one a Boston Police van. Once again, as always, BTD did their usual non-job on my taxpayer dime. Thanks for nothing.
Cant wait for next year it will be on a Saturday Night and parade Sunday
great job Brian Yanovitch