A look at some of the best St. Patrick's Day celebrations

Let’s look at the history of St. Patrick's day parades, and celebrations in the United States.

The first celebration of St. Patricks Day in the US is attributed to Boston, on March 17, 1737. When several dozen Presbyterians who immigrated from Northern Ireland gathered to honor St. Patrick.

The oldest St.Patricks Day Parade in the country goes to none other than the Big Apple itself. The New York parade is the oldest and largest in the world, with an estimated 2 million attendees yearly. The first year for the parade was 1762, when Irish soldiers in the British army first paraded to mark the day.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 17: Marching bands participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade down 5th Ave. on March 17, 2022 in New York City. Known as the world's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade, New York is welcoming back the annual event after holding a virtual event last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dozens of bands, performers politicians, and other groups made their way up Fifth Avenue in a celebration of Irish heritage. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The town with more Irish Pubs than anywhere in the United States, Boston. Draws over 600,000 people annually to their party and parade. The South Boston Parade is the main event, crowds dressed in green line the parade route. One big difference between the South Boston Parade and others is, it not only is a celebration of St.Patrick, it is also the observance of Evacuation Day, the day that the British troops were ousted from Boston on March 17, 1776.

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 20: Members of the Boston EMS Honor Guard line up before the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Parade passes on March 20, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. According to parade organizers, the South Boston St. Patrick's Parade is listed as the second longest parade in the country. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

The Windy City makes a heck of a splash on St. Patricks day as well. Chicago’s parade is one of the oldest in the nation, starting in 1858, it is also said to be the largest parade and party, attracting over 2 million participants and spectators. The day also begins with the coloring of the Chicago River to a rich green color. (Insert Berkley Pit joke here)

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 17: Cynara Martin stands on the Columbus Drive bridge as members of the plumbers' union dye the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day on March 17, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The River was first dyed green in 1962 and has become a St. Patrick's Day tradition in Chicago. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)

There are some others that I have heard “do it right” in places like Philadelphia, Denver, (of course) New Orleans, and Seattle.

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 14: Participants march on Broad Street during the 53rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade March 14, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 10,000 people came out to watch parade which featured more then 120 marching units and included musical bands, Irish dancers, and Irish culture groups. St. Patrick's Day is March 17, 2004. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Some others were new to me, like Savannah, Georgia. Savannah starts with a Celtic Cross ceremony bright and early in the morning, which leads to the grand parade through the city’s historic district.

San Antonio might be on to something for their party, they do it over two days. Like several cities, they dye the San Antonio River green to start it all, their parade sounds like it is on the river walk (or nearby) and includes the usual, floats, bagpipers, and I assume guys in coconut bras.

Drone photo of Butte St.Patricks day parade. Photo credit- Hazer.

Let’s turn our attention to another one of the oldest parades in the country, going back to 1881 the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Butte Montana. The Butte Parade is the oldest parade in the state of Montana. The parade and party celebrate the Irish Heritage of Butte and SW Montana, as per capita, Butte is the most Irish town in America.

Depending on whom you want to believe, Butte’s population doubles, or even triples on St. Patrick's day. With St. Pat’s on a Friday this year, I would have to guess we are going to tip the scale much closer to the triple mark than double.

And finally we have to show some love for Anaconda! The Anaconda parade is an absolute staple, and shouldn't be missed.

The Anaconda St.Patrick's Day Parade. photo courtesy of Uptop.com

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