SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) The 40th Annual Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place Saturday, Mar. 12 at noon.The Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the 10th largest annual parade in the United States and is back after a two-year COVID-19-related hiatus.
The celebration commences right here in Clinton Square by Nancy Duff Lane, named after the event’s co-founder. The Parade’s Committee President Janet Higgins said it means everything to her to have it back.
“It’s when people all come out of their houses for the long winter, and in this case, the long winter has been two years,” Higgins said. “I think after the parade takes place, people will realize the pandemic is over and we can start to go back to normal.
Among the traditions of the parade are a grand marshal announcement, the Coleman’s tanker truck, a pipe band, and of course, Irish dancing.
Megan Hickey is the owner of the Rince Na Sonas School of Irish dance, one of five Irish dance studios participating in this year’s parade. Typically, St. Patrick’s Day is a busy time for Hickey, and she does not look forward to the preparation that goes into it. However, Hickey said COVID has changed her perspective on it this year.
“When it was canceled two years ago, it was heartbreaking,” Hickey said. “I mean, it made us appreciate that we could do it so much more, and I can tell you that this year we are not going to complain, and we are just so happy to be back out there.”
The ages of Hickey’s performers range from four to 21-years-old. To make sure everyone is prepared for the parade, she often calls students to come into the studio up to four times a week.
“When we start thinking about St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a lot more intense on some of our show dances as opposed to some of the individual dances the dancers are used to, Hickey said.
A snowstorm is expected to hit the parade this Saturday, with temperatures expected to go as low as nine degrees. Hickey says her students are prepared for it.
