- Title: USA: St. Patrick's Day parade dazzles New York City
- Date: 18th March 2011
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MARCH 17, 2011) (REUTERS) BAND MARCHING PAST ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK TIMOTHY DOLAN MARCHING BAND PEOPLE WATCHING FROM WINDOW (SOUNDBITE) (English) MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY MIKE BLOOMBERG, SAYING: "It's always been a parade gets people out, puts a smile on their face, and reminds us of the Irish, but also of the different immigrant groups that came since we started this country and they keep adding to our culture and our cuisine, they build things and they make us a better country, a more diverse country." VARIOUS OF LITTLE GIRLS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY MIKE BLOOMBERG, SAYING: "Our prayers are with the Japanese people and our hopes are that their experts can get the reactors under control." MAN HOLDING LITTLE GIRL PEOPLE WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) DENNIS O'MANN, PARADE-WATCHER, SAYING: "Well, I'm Irish and I love coming to New York City for this parade and we have a grand old time." (SOUNDBITE) (English) EMMA KEEGAN, PARADE-WATCHER, SAYING: "It's our first time seeing the parade and we all wanted to do a big thing this year." VARIOUS OF GIRL AND BOY IN A WAGON MARCHING BAND GROUP WATCHING PARADE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANNETTE NEUFELD, PARADE-WATCHER, SAYING: "The bands, the music, the people, the green, everything. It's great to be part of it." (SOUNDBITE) (English) MIKE NEUFELD, PARADE-WATCHER, SAYING: "I'm enjoying it. I love the music, love seeing the troops and all the police officers. It's a great day." MARCHING BAND BOY WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) JESSICA CORTES, PARADE-WATCHER, RESPONDING TO QUESTION OF WHETHER EVERYONE IS IRISH ON THIS DAY EACH YEAR, SAYING: "Yes, that's true, except for the Italians." BUTTON READING "HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY" PEOPLE WATCHING THE PARADE IRELAND'S FLAG
- Embargoed: 2nd April 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVAESGHFA6SZK7RC2VX2QSLS5HWY
- Story Text: Irish eyes were smiling as the annual St. Patrick's Day parade marched through Midtown Manhattan on Thursday (March 17).
The parade is regarded as the oldest yearly parade in New York, having started in 1762, according to organizers. Nearly 250 years later, the annual event attracts millions of people to the Fifth Avenue parade route.
Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, greeted parade-goers outside the landmark St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Dozens of marching bands entertained the crowd with their bagpipes, drums, and fancy clothes.
New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg said the St. Patrick's Day parade is an example of the rich diversity of the city and country.
"It's always been a parade gets people out, puts a smile on their face, and reminds us of the Irish, but also of the different immigrant groups that came since we started this country and they keep adding to our culture and our cuisine, they build things and they make us a better country, a more diverse country," said Bloomberg.
Amid the festivities, the mayor also took a moment to offer support for earthquake and tsunami-devastated Japan.
"Our prayers are with the Japanese people and our hopes are that their experts can get the reactors under control," he said.
According to organizers, every year somewhere between 150,000 and 250,000 people march in the parade, and huge crowds watch every minute of the colorful event. But some of the best color is in the audience.
Dennis O'Mann said he and his equally-extravagant friend Blarney have been at every St. Patrick's Day parade for the past eight years.
"I'm Irish and I love coming to New York City for this parade and we have a grand old time," he said.
For Emma Keegan and her family, this is a new experience. "It's our first time seeing the parade and we all wanted to do a big thing this year," she said.
Families from all over the world come to New York for St. Patrick's Day, donning their shamrock hats, green beads, and bowties.
Canadians Annette and Mike Neufeld were included.
"The bands, the music, the people, the green, everything. It's great to be part of it," said Annette Neufeld.
"I'm enjoying it. I love the music, love seeing the troops and all the police officers. It's a great day," added Mike Neufeld.
It is often said that everybody is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.
"Yes, that's true, except for the Italians," said Jessica Cortes, wearing a tiny green hat and shamrocks.
In New York City, St. Patrick's Day is the ultimate celebration of Irish culture and whether you were born Irish or are Irish just for a day, one message is clear: "Happy St. Patrick's Day". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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