Story and photos by: Matt Lyons
San Diego CA— The Irish Congress of Southern California hosted its 35th Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade, celebrating faith and freedom, (the largest Parade west of the Mississippi) and Irish Festival on Saturday, March 14th with a flag presentation in Balboa Park at 9:45 a.m. The parade began at 10:30 a.m. from Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street. It traveled north on Fifth Avenue to Upas Street, then over to Sixth Avenue where it made its way south to conclude at Juniper Street.
Spectators enjoyed more than 120 parade entries including bagpipers and high school marching bands, police and fire department units (To include members from the City of Oceanside), unique floats, dancing groups, marching and equestrian units, clowns, roller skaters, border patrol units, scout troops, dignitaries and honorees, representatives from Ireland, antique cars, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, The Emerald Societies, the reigning Miss Colleen and Smiling Irishman and more. The theme of this year’s parade was “Celebrating People in Public Service.” The main sponsor of the Parade this year was Guinness.
Following the parade, spectators were invited to the event-filled Irish Festival which took place in Balboa Park at Sixth Avenue and Maple Street from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entertainment featured on two stages included Irish step dancers in the morning, and a full afternoon line-up of Irish folk singers and bands.
Craft and food booths, other vendors, an authentic Celtic village, beer gardens and kids zones offered rides all day. Over 30,000 people were expected to attend, and trolleys were available for service to and from the festival via a free parking lot located near the Prado in Balboa Park.
The Irish Congress was founded in 1980 to promote public appreciation and knowledge of Irish culture and heritage. Its primary function is to organize the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival. The organization is a family oriented, non-political all-volunteer organization that operates with over 40 committees. Anyone with an interest in supporting the Irish Community may become a member.
“The Irish Congress is made up of a remarkable group of dedicated volunteers with the goal of putting on the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of the Mississippi,” said Scott Dodge, member of The Irish Congress of Southern California in San Diego. “We do fund-raising throughout the entire year, and have a great time involved with creating a fun-filled family experience which is the best one-day event in San Diego.”
For more information about the Parade and Irish Festival; the Irish Congress of Southern California; or, becoming a Parade volunteer, call (858) 268-9111 or visit stpatsparade.org
About the Author: Matt Lyons has contributed to several area newspapers and national online media outlets as a freelance writer. He has written on topics that involve human & community interest as well as selected topics related to law enforcement. He is the Author of: Images of America: Oceanside Police Department, Arcadia Publishing 2006. Additionally, he dabbles with freelance digital photography using cell phone cameras. After retiring from the United States Marine Corps, he and his family made California their home. They have been living and working in the local area since 1997.