Excitement is building for the return of the Syracuse Saint Patrick’s Parade. The parade hasn’t happened for three years due to COVID-19, so the anticipation is more than ever before. Parade President Janet Higgins is one of many people excited for the return of the parade.
“Exhilarated. I can’t wait to have the parade. I’m so excited. It’s going to be absolutely spectacular,” Higgins said.
Higgins said they decided six months ago that they were going to start planning for this year’s celebration, even with looming COVID concerns.
“We knew that it had to be coming to an end. That’s why we planned for it. We weren’t positive in September, that’s for sure,’ Higgins said.
Higgins adds that the omicron variant caused the committee members to second guess themselves. But, they knew there was going to be interest and never had any problems getting permits for this year. She said they’re also adding something new to the celebration.
“We’re going to have dancing through downtown. Prior to the parade at 11:40, we’re going to start out with over 200 step dances,” Higgins said. “They’re going to do a jig.”
Amid the fun, Higgins said the parade is also a great opportunity to raise money for their charity.
“There’ll be all sorts of volunteers everywhere collecting money for our hunger project,” Higgins said. “We do this all year long. After this parade is over, I think we will have been able to supply money and food for over one million meals.”
But the forecast calls for a winter storm during parade time. Higgins said the show must go on.
“There may be some entries that pull out. But, other than that, we’re going to have a great parade. We may have to start it with a snowplow or two, but that’s OK, we’ve done that before.”
The festivities kick off Saturday at 11 A.M., with the parade officially beginning at noon.