Our prize for capturing the spirit of the parade–not the get-up but the great big smile.
It may have been windy and brisk–the nice if misleading way to say cold–on Sunday, but that didn’t stop record crowds from lining the Parkway for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade. Until the clouds rolled in, it was warmer in the sun. What appeared to be every Irish organization in the city and then some marched to the tunes of pipe bands, string bands, high school bands, and some infectiously rhythmic drum lines to the reviewing stand near Eakins Oval where a beaming Grand Marshal Jim Murray waved to every single one.
Some parade-goers took over their usual spots along the route. We even met one family that set up a table and chairs (and we spied some red Solo cups) on a traffic island. They did it every year, they told us. It was their annual St. Patrick’s Day party, right there in the middle of the street, where the parade passed by.
We took loads of photos. If you’re looking for a particular group and you don’t see it in our four sets, drop us an email and we’ll see if we have what you’re looking for.
Set 1. The Mass at St. Patrick’s
Set 2. Parade Photos
Set 3. Parade photos
Set 4. Parade photos
Here’s a list of the prize-winning marchers:
Hon. James H.J. Tate Award
(Founded 1980, this was named the Enright Award Prior to 1986)
Sponsored by: Mike Driscoll & Michael Bradley
Group that Best Exemplified the Spirit of the Parade
Philadelphia Fire Department
Msgr. Thomas J. Rilley Award (Founded 1980)
Outstanding Fraternal Organization
Sponsored by: AOH Division 39 Msgr. Thomas J. Rilley
Second Street Irish Society
George Costello Award (Founded 1980)
Organization with the Outstanding Float in the Parade
Sponsored by: The Irish Society
Irish of Havertown
Hon. Vincent A. Carroll Award (Founded 1980)
Outstanding Musical Unit Excluding Grade School Bands:
Sponsored by: John Dougherty
Bishop Shanahan Cheerleaders & Marching Band
Anthony J. Ryan Award (Founded 1990)
Outstanding Grade School Band
Sponsored by: The Ryan Family
St. Aloysius Academy Marching Band
Walter Garvin Award (Founded 1993)
Outstanding Children’s Irish Dance Group
Sponsored by: Walter Garvin Jr.
Rince Ri School of Irish Dance
Marie C. Burns Award (Founded 2003)
Outstanding Adult Dance Group
Sponsored by: Philadelphia Emerald Society
Tara Gael Dancers
Joseph E. Montgomery Award (Founded 2006)
Outstanding AOH and/or LAOH Divisions
Sponsored by: AOH Div. 65 Joseph E. Montgomery
AOH Division 22 Firefighter John J. Redmond & LAOH Division 22 St. Florian
Joseph J. “Banjo” McCoy Award (Founded 2006)
Outstanding Fraternal Organization
Sponsored by: Schuylkill Irish Society
St. Thomas More High School Alumni Association
James F. Cawley Parade Director’s Award (Founded 2006)
Outstanding Irish Performance or Display Chosen by the Parade Director
Sponsored by: AOH Division 87 Port Richmond
Cara School of Irish Dance
Father Kevin C. Trautner Award (Founded 2008)
Outstanding School or Religious Organization that displays their Irish Heritage while promoting Christian Values
Sponsored by: Kathy McGee Burns
St. Denis Parish/Cardinal Foley School Havertown
Maureen McDade McGrory Award (Founded 2008)
Outstanding Children’s Irish Dance Group Exemplifying the Spirit of Irish Culture through Traditional Dance.
Sponsored by: McDade School of Irish Dance
McDade-Cara Championship Irish Dancers
James P. “Jim” Kilgallen Award (Founded 2011)
Outstanding organization that best exemplifies the preservation of Irish-American unity through charitable endeavors to assist those less fortunate at home and abroad.
Sponsored by: Michael Bradley
AOH Division # 39 Monsignor Thomas J Rilley
Mary Theresa Dougherty Award (Founded 2012)
Outstanding organization dedicated to serving the needs of God’s people in the community.
Sponsored by: St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association Board
Haverford HS Best Buddies
Paul J. Phillips Jr. Award (Founded 2012)
Outstanding parade marshal.
Sponsored by: Robert M. Gessler
John Gallagher
Phillip ‘Knute’ Bonner Award (Founded 2013)
Award given to the outstanding organization dedicated to preserve our freedom and protect us through sacrifice and compassion for others.
Sponsored by: Mary Beth Bonner Ryan
Irish Immigration Center
Photos by Jeff Meade, Gwyneth MacArthur and Denise Foley
