Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets of South Boston on Sunday for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, one of the largest celebrations of Irish heritage in the country.
BOSTON — Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of South Boston on Sunday for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, one of the most celebrated in the country. The largest celebration of Irish heritage.
The parade traditionally draws crowds from all over Massachusetts and beyond, with bands, floats, veterans groups and local organizations making their way all the way through South Boston.
City officials said preparations have been underway for weeks, with police, transportation officials and emergency crews coordinating safety and transportation plans as large crowds gather in the neighborhood.
The event is a major annual tradition in Boston, a city with deep Irish roots, and often coincides with Evacuation Day celebrations, which commemorates the departure of British forces from Boston in 1776.
Officials encouraged people attending the parade to plan ahead for road closures and public transportation congestion as the neighborhood fills with spectators throughout the day.
Last year’s parade attracted tens of thousands of attendees and included dozens of marching groups.
This year’s event was expected to start late Sunday morning and continue until the afternoon.