Empire State Today

Mayor Byron W. Brown and South District Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon, joined by the United Irish American Association (UIAA), kicked off St. Patrick’s Day weekend by hosting an Irish flag-raising ceremony in Niagara Square. The event shined a spotlight on the Valley Community Association’s Old Neighborhood Parade in the Old First Ward on Saturday, as well as the UIAA’s Sunday St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Delaware Avenue, where members of the United States Armed Forces and local frontline workers will be celebrated.

Mayor Brown stated, “As we raise the Irish flag in Niagara Square, we launch the official start to St. Patrick’s Day festivities and are reminded that in Buffalo, we have much to celebrate, including the many contributions and achievements of the Irish community rooted right here in our great city. I also want to thank our Irish friends and members of the United Irish American Association for their continued commitment to Buffalo and for recognizing our community’s first responders and members of the United States Armed Forces during this year’s festivities. Additionally, because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday this year, we expect a livelier start to the holiday weekend beginning tomorrow, but our message remains the same. Enjoy the luck of the Irish but please celebrate safely.”

The Old Neighborhood Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 18th at noon, beginning on South Park Avenue and ending on Louisiana Street. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Buffalo is scheduled for Sunday, March 19th at 2:00 p.m. on Delaware Avenue.

“Buffalo is proud of its rich, Irish history and looks forward to celebrating our heritage every year during St. Patrick’s Day festivities,” said South District Council Member Christopher Scanlon. “Buffalo is home to not one, but two St. Patrick’s parades. We’re looking forward to a fun, safe weekend filled with music, food, and dancing.”

Jim Wannemacher, the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stated, “It is my honor to be this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, with my family as deputy marshals. As part of the United Irish American Association, we work hard to get the word out about how St. Patrick has affected Irish culture since he first set foot in Ireland, and how we celebrate the Western New York Irish community and its impact on our region. We hope to see everyone, from all over the area, downtown on Delaware Avenue this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. And for those who can attend, please join us for Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. This year’s Parade is dedicated to the memory of Margaret O’Sullivan, a long-time parade Marshal for the St Patrick’s Day Parade.”

Below is a list of St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Traffic Closures. Old First Ward Parade 

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2023

10:30 AM to 3:00 PM

The parade route will be closed to traffic.

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023

St. Patrick’s Day Parade 

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Niagara Square and Delaware Avenue (from Niagara Square to North Street) will be closed to traffic.

Traffic closures to accommodate extra pedestrians in Buffalo’s Entertainment District

SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH at 10:00 AM to SUNDAY, MARCH 19TH at 6:00 AM

Chippewa Street (Pearl to Delaware) Allen Street (Delaware to Wadsworth)

Original source can be found here.