Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
2009 St. Patrick Day's Parade Is Tomorrow
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 16, 2009
Modified Mar 17, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 16, 2009
Modified Mar 17, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This year is will be the 248th St. Patrick's Day Parade. While the parade honors Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York, it's become a popular celebration of anything remotely Irish, be it the heritage of a person or a beer.
The National Guard's Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment, which had been deployed in Afghanistan, will be leading the parade. This year, the parade's Grand Marshal is Michael Gibbons, the President Emeritus of the Ireland-U.S. Council; here's a PDF of the Line of March—Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Governor Paterson, plus other officials will be present.
At 11 a.m. tomorrow, the Saint Patrick's Day Parade will start at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue and will travel up Fifth Avenue to 86th Street, finishing around 4 or 5 p.m. Which means there are many street closings—besides the parade route, the parade formation area is 44th to 46th Streets from Vanderbilt Avenue to Avenue of the Americas and 47th to 48th Streets from Park Avenue to Avenue of the Americas. While the Central Park transverse roads will be open to traffic, the NYPD says, "Pedestrian crossing along the parade route will be permitted on 49th Street to 55th Street, 57th Street and 58th Street, 59th Street east bound only and 60th Street west bound only." So take mass transit—the LIRR and Metro-North are running extra trains
The MTA, however, wants to remind you that alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the trains, platforms or stations. The NYPD reiterate that and add that alcohol consumption during the parade is prohibited: "Persons found with alcohol may be subject to summons and/or arrest. Police Officers will confiscate alcoholic beverages brought to the parade, as well as any of the following locations: Port Authority Bus Terminal; Staten Island Ferry Terminals; Grand Central Station; Penn Station; Central Park; and any public street.
Tagged
alcohol
irish
parade
st. patrick's day parade
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .