Thirteen Reasons to Attend the Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

In it’s 59th year, the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade is sure to be a booming success just as the 58 years before.  This is a treasured tradition for those on and off the island.  Saturday, March 14th, the parade will begin!  Starting at 11 am and traveling from Newport City Hall to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church.  The parade is expected to last about 2 hours and will feature local organizations, clown units, reenactment units, great traditional music and so much more.  And if you need convincing, here are 13 reasons to join in on this festive tradition.

1. Family-Friendly Fun. A lot of Saint Patrick’s Day festivities are mostly based around alcohol, meaning that most Saint Patrick’s Day events are not suitable for children. The Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade has a lot of fun for the whole family, and, if you do plan on some more grown-up fun on Saint Patrick’s Day evening, the parade ends at 1:00 PM, meaning you can take the kids out without sacrificing your evening.
2. The Button! Attendees can get one of the yearly Saint Patrick’s parade buttons, which commemorates both the day itself and Newport itself.  Either add to your collection or start a new collection, giving you a reason to return each year!
3.  Being Irish  Are you Irish?  I am not but this is still one of my favorite RI events of the entire year!   This parade is made for all, the Irish and the Irish celebrators.  The mood here is festive and the celebration is serious. Young and old gather clad in green and ready to show their Irish side, even if they don’t have one.  Being Irish is not a must for this parade.  Come one and come all…celebrate the Irish way.
4. Because the parade organizers know what they’re doing. The first Newport Saint Patrick’s Day parade was held in 1955, and has been held every single year since. This is the 59^th annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Newport, and it’s showing no signs of stopping any time soon. If you want to take part in a piece of local Rhode Island history, you can’t go wrong.
5. Because of the drinks! While the parade itself is family friendly, the parade organizers will be holding pint nights from March 8 through March 13th, at various bars around Newport including Mudville Pub and Busker’s. Sponsored by Newport Storm, you can get a Saint Patrick’s Day pint glass with a bottle of Newport Storm Spring Irish Red Ale.
6. The family celebration! This is the 8th annual family celebration, an alcohol-free event held behind the Newport Public Library, on Golden Hill Street. This event will take place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and will feature live Irish music, Irish step-dancers, free giveaways, and even pirates! This event is free to the public. There will also be a hundred dollar door prize, face painters, and a “How Green Am I” contest, with a $150 full prize, a $100 second prize, and a $50 third prize.
7. The great music. There are a number of fantastic Irish and Scottish bands playing for the parade, including Banda de Gaites de Corvera, a Spanish bagpipe group, a marching band, and a fife and drum corps. There will be a wide variety of music both in the parade and in the events surrounding it.
8. The Big Daddy Award Ceremony and pre-parade party. The Big Daddy award, is given every year to the biggest financial supporter of the parade. This event will be held on Friday, March 13th, at the Hibernian Hall on Wellington Avenue. The event starts at 6:00 PM, and will feature free food, and live performances of Irish and Scottish music.
9. Show Yuor Support! There are a  variety of different non-profit organizations that will be present at the parade, including local police and firefighters, local schools, the Boy Scouts, the Girl scouts, and more.
10. The after-show! Starting at 2:00 PM, about an hour after the parade ends, traditional Celtic music combo Pendragon will be performing, along with traditional Irish pipers and Tir Na Nog Irish dancers. This event is being held at the Jane Pickens Theatre on Touro Street. Tickets are $20, or $10 for children twelve and under.
11. The specials. Restaurants and pubs in Newport will be having drinks specials and a variety of Irish and non-Irish foods during the parade. Stop by Caleb and Broad on Newport Street at any point between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and help yourself to breakfast burritos and a pint. Or go to Diego’s, which will be serving up an Irish-inspired brunch, with margaritas and corn beef tacos being served all day. It’s a great opportunity to grab a drink without breaking your wallet.
12. The food Ireland isn’t always known for its cuisine, but the fact is that there are plenty of delicious—and certainly filling—Irish foods, and nearly all of them will be served around the parade route. Check out Buskers Irish Pub and Restaurant, which will have live Irish music and a full Irish breakfast, or go to the Brick Alley Pub, which has a breakfast buffet starting at 8:00 AM.
13. For Newport itself! This is the first time Newport has been even close to a thaw in months, and even in the worst of weather Newport is stunning, and full of great restaurants, bars, shops, and scenic spots to just stand and watch. Even when you can’t see the parade in either direction, you’ll still have something to catch your eye.  There is always a good reason to visit Newport, RI and this is one of the best reasons!

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