(Editor’s note: Updated at 4:40 p.m. Friday to reflect cancellation of the Springfield parade.)
With two to four inches of rain, small stream and street flooding, and high winds predicted, all of the area’s St. Patrick’s parades that were scheduled for Saturday are now postponed or canceled.
(This is not to be confused with Sunday’s Philadelphia parade, which will go on as scheduled no matter what. Rain, wind, snow, drought, locusts, disease, pestilence, rivers of blood… no problem, Philadelphians will absolutely march on Sunday.)
Of course, even though all Saturday parades are canceled, many traditional post-parade festivities will go on. So you can still strap on your green plastic leprechaun hat and party hearty.
Here’s the current status of the Saturday parades:
Conshohocken (Montgomery County)
Postponed. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the parade is officially re-scheduled for Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m. So you’ll have to wait a couple of weeks, but—look on the bright side—it gives you a reason to stretch out the month’s celebration.
Levittown (Bucks County)
Canceled. However, two other events are going on as planned, according to the parade committee’s Theresa Gallagher. There’s a special Mass at 8 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 9172 New Falls Road in Levittown. Later in the day, there’s a big hoolie (the after-parade party) from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Falls Banquet Hall, 80 MY Lane in Morrisville (previously known as Trease Catering). Music by Jamison … and it’s free! Food and fun for everyone.
Springfield (Delaware County)
Canceled. It will not be rescheduled, says parade director Steve Burns. “Historically, we’ve never had a rain date,” he says, adding that it’s usually difficult to re-book bands and other marching units. “The consensus has been that, if it’s done, it’s done.”
However, the parade after-party will still go on as advertised. Ancient Order of Hibernians Black Jack Kehoe Division 4 will get the festivities rolling at 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus De LaSalle Hall, Baltimore Pike and Bishop Avenue in Springfield. The party goes on ’til 6 p.m., with music by the great Irish band The Shantys. The price is $15, which includes music, food and draft beer.
There’s also a party going on at Duke’s Tavern at Saxer Avenue in Springfield, starting nice and early—about 10 a.m.—and going until whenever.
And over at St. Kevin’s at 200 West Sproul Road, the McDade and Cara Irish dance schools are hosting a ceili from 2-6. To be sure, there will be lots of music and dancing. Ten bucks gets you in the door, including food, dessert, coffee and tea. Ten dollars more buys you a bottomless cup of beer. Listen to live Irish music by Steven Moran.
(Editor’s note: Updated at 4:40 p.m. Friday to reflect cancellation of the Springfield parade.)
With two to four inches of rain, small stream and street flooding, and high winds predicted, all of the area’s St. Patrick’s parades that were scheduled for Saturday are now postponed or canceled.
(This is not to be confused with Sunday’s Philadelphia parade, which will go on as scheduled no matter what. Rain, wind, snow, drought, locusts, disease, pestilence, rivers of blood… no problem, Philadelphians will absolutely march on Sunday.)
Of course, even though all Saturday parades are canceled, many traditional post-parade festivities will go on. So you can still strap on your green plastic leprechaun hat and party hearty.
Here’s the current status of the Saturday parades:
Conshohocken (Montgomery County)
Postponed. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the parade is officially re-scheduled for Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m. So you’ll have to wait a couple of weeks, but—look on the bright side—it gives you a reason to stretch out the month’s celebration.
Levittown (Bucks County)
Canceled. However, two other events are going on as planned, according to the parade committee’s Theresa Gallagher. There’s a special Mass at 8 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 9172 New Falls Road in Levittown. Later in the day, there’s a big hoolie (the after-parade party) from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Falls Banquet Hall, 80 MY Lane in Morrisville (previously known as Trease Catering). Music by Jamison … and it’s free! Food and fun for everyone.
Springfield (Delaware County)
Canceled. It will not be rescheduled, says parade director Steve Burns. “Historically, we’ve never had a rain date,” he says, adding that it’s usually difficult to re-book bands and other marching units. “The consensus has been that, if it’s done, it’s done.”
However, the parade after-party will still go on as advertised. Ancient Order of Hibernians Black Jack Kehoe Division 4 will get the festivities rolling at 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus De LaSalle Hall, Baltimore Pike and Bishop Avenue in Springfield. The party goes on ’til 6 p.m., with music by the great Irish band The Shantys. The price is $15, which includes music, food and draft beer.
There’s also a party going on at Duke’s Tavern at Saxer Avenue in Springfield, starting nice and early—about 10 a.m.—and going until whenever.
And over at St. Kevin’s at 200 West Sproul Road, the McDade and Cara Irish dance schools are hosting a ceili from 2-6. To be sure, there will be lots of music and dancing. Ten bucks gets you in the door, including food, dessert, coffee and tea. Ten dollars more buys you a bottomless cup of beer. Listen to live Irish music by Steven Moran.
Trenton (N.J.)
Postponed until Saturday, March 20.
Wilmington (Del.)
Canceled. But all is not lost. Far from it! The Irish Culture Club of Delaware will be hosting a hoolie at St. Patrick’s Church (normally, the end of the parade route), 14th and King Streets in Wilmington, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Ten dollars gets you a commemorative mug and endless beer.
York (Pa.)
Canceled. However, the city is still celebrating indoors, and big-time. Click here for a detailed schedule.
Trenton (N.J.)
Postponed until Saturday, March 20.
Wilmington (Del.)
Canceled. But all is not lost. Far from it! The Irish Culture Club of Delaware will be hosting a hoolie at St. Patrick’s Church (normally, the end of the parade route), 14th and King Streets in Wilmington, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Ten dollars gets you a commemorative mug and endless beer.
York (Pa.)
Canceled. However, the city is still celebrating indoors, and big-time. Click here for a detailed schedule.
