Wednesday, March 13, 2013

A Quintessential St. Patrick's Day Parade in Denver, Colorado!


Today is Kathleen's, of the blog Cuisine Kathleen, 5th annual Saint Patrick Day blog crawl, and I wanted to share in the merriment!



When I lived in Brooklyn, NY, I showed the famous Saint Patrick's Day Parade that takes place every year in Manhattan on my blog, but did you also know that near where I live now -- Denver, Colorado, has the largest Saint Patrick's Day Parade west of the Mississippi River? 

This year will be the fifty-first annual parade and will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013. You can read about the history of the parade on its official link.


I was fortunate to be in Denver, visiting my son and his family, a few years ago when the parade was held, and these photos are from that year. Over 200,000 people come out to see the parade each year and enjoy the fun!


Almost everyone wears a shade of green!


Many Irish heritage clubs and organizations march in the parade...


...and there are floats for popular Denver Irish pubs and restaurants.

Local businesses and...


... entertainment attractions are also represented in the parade.


There are many bagpipers...

...and performances of Irish step dancing.


Among the most colorful marchers in the parade were the clowns!


They were a big hit with the crowd!


Beep! Beep!


Of course, this is the west, and the locale brings its own flavor to the parade.


...from reminders of the frontier...


..and early pioneers...

...to cowboys and ranchers.

Even the long-horned cattle had a chance to march in the parade!


The parade is a grand way to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Denver, and I hope to be there again this year!
How do you celebrate the holiday?


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64 comments:

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

how fun! I guess it's time to find something green to wear...

Lynn said...

Looks like a fun way to spend the day Pat:@)

podso said...

I have not been to a parade in years but your pictures sure make me want to go! We don't do a whole lot at all tp celebrate--maybe wear a little green!

Michelle said...

That parade looks like a lot of fun!

Susie said...

Today on Kathy Lee and Hoda, they said over 7 million St. Patty's day cards are sent yearly. More than all the Irishman in Ireland. Who knew? We are part Irish and part American Indian...so I say we are O'pache. :):) xoxox,Susie

Old Kitty said...

Oh wow!! I can't wait to see how St Paddy's day will be celebrated this year in Colorado!! The 2012 looks utterly fabulous!! LOL!! Now that's a parade and a half!

I think there's some kind of parade in Trafalgar Square come Sunday - I think this time last year, I just remember lots of rowdy pub people wearing huge green hats!

Take care
x

My name is Riet said...

We don't know St Patrick's day here but there is an Irish pub not farfrom us. I must go and see if they celebrate.LOve the photo's of the parades.
I bet you saw the new pope. He seems like a wonderful and friendly man.

Shoshana said...

That is a nice series of pictures. I never made it to St. Paddies parade, so your pictures are lovely to see.

My alpha-Thurs is here.

Barbara F. said...

Looks like a fun parade, with St. Paddy himself walking along! xo

Anonymous said...

Fun post for Q and fabulous photography ^_^

Margaret said...

Hi Pat, marvelous photos! It will be so much fun for you watching the parade with your grandsons "L" and "M"! Enjoy! Happy Saint Patricks Day!
Margaret from B.C.

Pamela Gordon said...

That looks like a fun St. Patrick's Day parade Pat. I hope the weather is nice for it this weekend.

Lorrie said...

St. Patrick's day must be a much bigger celebration in the USA than in Canada. Here it's just a day on the calender and a reminder to wear a bit of green.
Looks like a lot of fun is what you'll be enjoying.

Vee said...

We met around St. Patrick's Day. I wanted to feature something Irish and I chose you! Ha! No, you and Vin had been on a wonderful vacation in Ireland an so I linked to it. I should go back and have a little walk down memory lane. So glad that your new community has a healthy and active events schedule. I don't know how far I'd have to go to find a parade on St. Patrick's Day. Have fun!

pam said...

Fun, I've never gone to the big one here in KC. I love the dogs dressed to party. And those longhorns are amazing. Have fun!

Tea in Texas said...

I love all the information about the different parades. The one in Denver is fabulous with all the entries. The last one with the St. Patrick costume is so gorgeous. We have many restaurants on Lower Greenville where many celebrate March 17th here in Dallas. Hope you have a lovely St. Patrick's Day!

Pam

Anonymous said...

That looks like such a fabulous parade!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, Looks like Denver really has a huge St. Patrick's Parade. There must be a big population of Irish in that area. So neat!!!!

Looks like fun. Hope you go back this year.

Hugs,
Betsy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Pat... thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog. It's been a rough time, but with the Lord's help we will get through this.

I really don't have any firm traditions for St. Patrick's day, though I usually wear green so I won't get pinched. My mother used to love to pinch us before we got up. LOL

Enjoy the festivities. It was fun seeing the cattle marching in the parade. I love longhorn steers!

XO,

Sheila

Rettabug said...

Love, love, LOVE it all!! Our parade is going to be in cold & snow...no shirt sleeves here!

My VERY Polish DH marched in the downtown Cleveland, OH parade once year, as a flag bearer for John Carroll University, his alma mater. I remember I took off work early from the Cleveland Clinic that day. I even wore green shoe laces in my nursing shoes, in celebration. Fun times!

Hope you have a Happy St. Patrick's Day,

Hugs,
Rett

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Wow, bagpipes and bighorns in the same parade! Quite amazing. I guess you could say "Only in Denver" about that. Sometime in the coming months I will be visiting Denver as my son moved there about a year ago. So I'm enjoying all the previews you are giving us here on your blog.

Marlis said...

Now that looks like fun.. thanks for sharing.. Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's day and sending all the good Irish blessings your way.. xo marlis

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Pat, I had no idea that this was such a big deal in Denver! We are watching the Knicks play Denver right now and my husband is NOT happy!! I hope you are enjoying your new home. Linda

Sarah said...

Pat, these photos are great fun. I feel as if I was on the curb at this parade. Gotta love a good parade! I'm sure you will be there watching and photographing this year's parade. Happy St. Patrick's Day! ~ Sarah

Unknown said...

What a fun post...I did enjoy my visit. I want something green now to wear...makes me wanted to go on a parade like this.

diane b said...

It sure looks a big exciting parade. We don't seem to celebrate as much as we did some years ago.

eileeninmd said...

Fun parade! Looks like a fun time! Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I have never seen cattle marching in a parade.

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Who doesn't love a parade! This was great! :)

Snap said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I have my corned beef and cabbage! :D :D Eat, Drink, Be Merry!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure you won't miss the great one in NYC????

Eden House News and views said...

It always amazes me that Stbpatricks day is so celebrated outside of uk all that happens here is people get blind drunk .

Yvette said...

I love the cowboys on horseback and the cattle, Pat! Now that's something worth moving to Denver for. :)

GardenOfDaisies said...

So fun!! My favorite part of the parade is the little irish dancers! I remember the years of my little dancing girl marching in the parade. :-) They'd have to wear thick tights and long underwear under their dresses because some years it was still so cold in March!
Wow, I can't believe they let the longhorns in the parade. I would not want to be nearby if a loud noise or something spooked them.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Looks like everyone was having a grand time at the parade! I admit, I have never been to a parade with long horned cattle :) They look well behaved!

Marigene said...

What fun...the longhorns are awesome!

Lisa @ Grandmas Briefs said...

I sometimes wonder if you think we're all a bunch of hicks here in Colorado. We definitely do things different than out east. That's our charm, right? :-D I've never been to the Denver parade. My youngest (who lives in Denver) surely has. I'll have to ask her.

Happy St. Pat's Day to you and your precious family!

Tracy said...

So much FUN! St. Pat's Day is also easy for us to remember as it's our wedding anniversary! 13th anniversary this weekend. I hope to be well enough so we can at least go out to lunch. Just now surfacing after 2 weeks+ I've been down with flu & migraines--slowly mending. Fist chance I've had to post and visit friends. So great to catch up with you. :o) Happy Weekend, Pat ((HUGS))

Jeanne said...

WOW, Pat, this is a big deal. Impressive and fun. I know you will have a wonderful time.

My sisters are giving a wedding shower tomorrow for our great niece. Fun and lots of love here. She is my brother's granddaughter. I'll post it soon. Everything is ready except the cooking and baking that I will do today.

I hope your snow is gone. Denver has crazy weather so I am betting it is all gone. One day snow and the next day sunny and warmed up. My friend used to live there.

xo, Jeanne

Susan Anderson said...

I never knew this about Denver. You got some GREAT photos.

No wonder your blog is always one of my most "favoriti."

;)

The French Hutch said...

Hi Pat, I bet you are delighted to find the big St. Patrick's Day parade in Denver! Who knew such a big celebration of SPD so far west. I am enjoying all your parade photos. I'm not near any celebrations so I'll have an Irish breakfast and think of all my Irish family!

Blessings to you and yours,
Emily
The French Hutch

Judy said...

It looks like it was mighty warm for the St. Patrick's Day parade in Denver that year. May the sun shine down on you as you enjoy your first St. Paddy's Day as a resident of CO!

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

I hope the weather is great for this year's parade. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Kathleen said...

It looks like a great parade, Pat! No coats! They will be wearing them here in NY for sure, it's been chilly!

Thanks so much for crawling in the St. Patrick's Blog Crawl!

RobinfromCA said...

I didn't know Denver had a St. Patty's Day parade! Looks like a fun family event. Got a real kick out of those cute little Irish step dancers all in costume with, obviously, their own choice in shoes!
Have a great weekend!
Robin

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I hope you get to go to the parade tomorrow. The parade from a few years ago looked like it was a good one. Happy St. Patrick's Day

La Petite Gallery said...

I never knew that, must be a lot of the Irish that went west. This was a fun visit.
Thanks.

I still have snow.. yvonne

Cathy said...

It looks like a great parade, Pat. Who doesn't like to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Love those bagpipers and the little step dancrs. And it looks like it was a perfect weather day.

Bridget said...

The hubby and daughter are in Denver today so I texted them about the parade. Love those photos, especially the green Pope (?) at the end.

How do I celebrate? Low key, but a Guinness is always good, no matter what the day.

And I have been looking up when the ancestors left the old sod to come to America.

Sheila said...

Have a wonderful time at the parade today - tis a great day to be Irish!

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

Fun shoys of the parade. Blessings, Debbie

Ann said...

I love a good parade and that one looks like a great one. Where I live we don't have many parades and being a small rural area when we do they are pretty lame.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is a really nice parade.

AdriBarr said...

Whoa! That's a pretty big parade - so many entrants. How wonderful - it must have been a real treat to discover it - a little bit of New York in Colorado! I love parades. Thank for sharing - I had no idea they had one.

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Looks like there's a lot of Irish fun and cultural pride in the Rockies! I thought it was mostly an eastern U.S. thing. Enjoy the celebrating!

Pondside said...

I've never attended a St Patrick's Day parade - I'm not even sure if we have them. I'm glad you know where to find one down there in Colorado, as I recall the fun you shared of the ones in NY.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

You may not be celebrating St. Paddy's Day in the Big Apple, and I know what a fun parade that is, but this looked like a great parade and a good time!

Ruth Kelly said...

Happy St. Paddy's Day to you. We had a spectacular parade too in Salt Lake City.

Cindy said...

Wow! I love parades! Watching the video made me want to be there and see it today.
I don't celebrate the day normally, but I would if I lived in Denver!
Thank you for this wonderfully fun post.
Hugs, Cindy

GailO said...

Looks like fun! I tend to stay away from those rowdy parades LOL!

What I am surprised about is how warm it looks! I thought it was colder in Denver at this time of year..

Esther Joy said...

I love parades, but I've never been to a St. Patrick's Day parade.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your St. Patty's Day parade. A bit different form the New York one. It makes me feel like Denver can wrap it's arms around you to make you feel at home.'


Karen

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I never knew Denver had such a great St. Patrick's Day Parade! Love all the green and especially the cute pooches at the beginning and end :)

Annesphamily said...

They expected 300,000 people this year at the parade! I know they were there because my honey had Saturday mail and we had to drive twenty minutes out of our way coming and going to get to where we needed to go! LOL! But my sweet hubby took me to my favorite ice cream shop so the longer trip was well worth it! Nick team mate from Ireland was with us for a couple days and we took him to the Old Spaghetti Factory Saturday evening. It was delightful evening although the streets of downtown were filled with the wild and crazy antics of people indulging in too much green beer! HaHa!

Jenny said...

Wow! This was really interesting!

And trust you to find all the wonderful events right after moving!

And, on top of that! You look fabulous in green!

A perfect event for a fun loving lady!

Thanks for linking.

A+