St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to Worcester

WORCESTER—Green flags, marching bands and decorated floats once again fill Park Avenue this weekend as Worcester prepares for one of its most recognizable spring traditions—the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade steps off at noon Sunday, March 15, drawing thousands of spectators along the roughly 2.5-mile route and celebrating the city’s deep Irish roots alongside the broader mix of cultures that make up Worcester today.

First held in 1981, the Worcester St. Patrick’s Day Parade has grown into one of the city’s largest early-season community gatherings, bringing families, neighborhood groups, performers and local organizations together along Park Avenue.

“It’s one of the first major events held each year, and brings people from all backgrounds out to stand side-by-side and enjoy a good time after a long winter indoors,” said parade chairperson Erin Zamarro. “For many people, it’s a tradition — whether they march, or they come every year with family and friends and watch from the same locations. People have a lot of good memories associated with marching in the parade or watching the parade.”

Jim Brown, a longtime figure in Worcester’s Irish-American community whose involvement in local cultural and civic organizations stretches back decades, leads this year’s parade as its grand marshal. A Worcester native and graduate of Commerce High School and Quinsigamond Community College, Brown served six years in the Army National Guard before spending much of his career at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, where he retired as a supervisor in the road test division. In addition to years of involvement with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Brown has helped organize community traditions such as Worcester’s annual Easter Rising commemoration and has remained active in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, serving as treasurer and helping coordinate events and parade-day logistics.

More than 100 marchers, floats and organizations are scheduled to take part in this year’s parade, reflecting the wide cross-section of Worcester’s civic and cultural life. The lineup ranges from veterans’ groups, police and fire departments, ROTC units and elected officials to marching bands, Irish step dancers, youth sports teams, nonprofits and community organizations. Spectators will see everything from antique fire trucks and classic cars to pipe bands, school bands and colorful floats from local businesses and sponsors. Participants include the Worcester Police Pipes and Drums, the Worcester Fire Brigade Pipe & Drums, the Douglas High School Marching Band and the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companie, along with groups such as the Girl Scouts, the American Red Cross, the Worcester Red Sox, the Worcester Railers and the Worcester Bravehearts.

Among the returning participants this year are longtime crowd favorites such as the Shriners, along with the Burncoat High School Band and Dance Team. Local business Serrato Signs will also return after debuting what Zamarro described as a standout float last year featuring the Worcester skyline.

Zamarro said one of the highlights of this year’s parade is the return of marching bands that had struggled to participate in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The busiest viewing area typically stretches along Park Avenue between Chandler and Highland streets, where restaurants and bars draw larger crowds. Spectators looking for a quieter spot may find more room farther down Park Avenue between Lovell and Maywood streets.

Restaurants, clubs and bars in and around Park Ave. feature traditional Irish food (corned beef dinner, anyone?) as well as live music, also often traditional.

For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be broadcast live by sponsor Spectrum News on Spectrum TV channels 1 and 776 and streamed through the Spectrum News app.

The parade is organized by the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, a nonprofit group that coordinates the event each year with the help of dozens of volunteers.

Zamarro said roughly 50 committee members work behind the scenes throughout the year, joined by additional volunteers on parade day. Students from Dynamy/You Inc. and the South High Honor Society are among those who assist by carrying banners during the parade.

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure a viewing spot before the streets fill up. The parade typically lasts between 90 minutes and two hours.

Public parking is available near the end of the route at Doherty High School, 299 Highland St., where a free shuttle runs every 20 minutes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Street closures along Park Avenue, Mill Street and Main Street begin at 11 a.m.

Jenna Foley is a communication and multimedia journalism student at Worcester State University, focusing on telling impactful stories through different forms of media. She can be reached at jfoley17@worcester.edu