The parade comes Sunday, but Thursday’s moveable feast of pre-parade celebrations and observances got Philadelphia’s irish off to a head start.
Standing in the chill rain on the west side of City Hall, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick paid tribute to the Irish who served in the Revolutionary War. The Friendly Sons have been around since 1771, so who better?
Mayor Michael O’Nutter, as he likes to call himself in March, joined the Friendly Sons for the ceremony, and then the whole crowd and then some moved inside (where it was warmer, drier and brighter) to hear the mayor’s proclamation of March as Irish month. (And thanks to the Timoney Dancers for entertainment.)
Finally, at noon, an even bigger crowd (a much bigger crowd) assembled in the ballroom at the Doubletree Hotel for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association’s annual luncheon. Highlights of the lunch: the formal introduction of Sister James Anne Feerick as the 2011 parade grand marshal, and the sahsing of the Ring of Honor. This year, it was all women. (See related story.)
You can check out our slideshow, above, or to find out who was in all those photos, go to the photo essay.
