St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in Toronto: Join the Party or Parade!
St. Patrick’s Celebrations can be found all around the world as various Irish communities (and those who wish they were Irish!) gather to lift a pint to the sky and join in to offer a drink to this famous Saint. But one of the best parties can be found on the North American continent and only a hop, skip and a jump from most major American cities – Toronto, Canada! Why not consider celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in one of the best parades found anywhere?
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Toronto started back in 1988 with only a small contingent of Irish-born Torontonians and their friends marching down the street in their trademark green attire. But over the years it’s grown to the point that now the St. Patrick’s Day parade involves over one hundred organizations with over two thousand marchers in the actual parade! Add in over fifteen bands, over twenty floats created specifically for this special event and the sponsorship of over thirty Irish county associations and you’ve got a party to rival any over in the Old Country!
The route this particular St. Patrick’s Day parade takes is a great one for tourists as well. Starting in the western part of Toronto near Varsity Stadium, the parade winds its way along Bloor Street; one of Toronto’s main travelling arteries and the site of many tourist favorites. When it arrives at Yonge Street it then turns south, heading down this famous street (technically the longest street in the world!) to Queen Street. Here it turns yet again to end up at Nathan Phillips Square; a central city square that includes an outdoors skating rink and is home to a farmers’ market. This St. Patrick’s Day parade route is great for those visiting the city as it passes many great tourism spots such as the Eaton Center and places you not far from such famous places as the Princess of Wales Theatre on King Street and Roy Thompson Hall.
And why not start off your celebrations with a bit of the Old Country in Toronto? The Irish Embassy Pub and Grill isn’t that far off the parade route and can provide you with the closest Irish experience you’ll get this side of the Pond! Before, after or during the St. Patrick’s Day parade why not drop in here for a bit of the Irish? Or P.J. O’Brien’s, situated near the parade’s finish and ready to take your order for some fine Irish food and all the Guinness you can drink? Both are major sponsors for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Toronto and are ready and willing to give you as much of the Irish experience as you can handle!
But what’s a parade without a Grand Marshal? And for the 2006 St. Patrick’s Day parade in Toronto the Grand Marshal is going to be Erin Davis, one of Toronto’s best-known radio and television personalities! But she’s going to be doing more than just waving to the crowds – she’s going to be busy the night before at the Grand Marshall’s Ball, a spectacular evening for all lucky enough to attend and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day before the big parade the next day!
Sunday, March 19th is going to be one of the biggest days in Toronto history as the St. Patrick’s Day parade takes charge of the center of the city and the green beer flows freely for all who are Irish or who want to be! Why not make plans to take a trip to Toronto, Canada and add in this St. Patrick’s Day celebration to your tourism plans?
