All Pawtucket All The Time

          For several months a group of area residents have been working very hard to make the first Saturday in March a very special day. 

          March 7 marks the day the 27^th. Annual St. Patrick’s Parade steps off at 12 Noon, rain or shine, from Jenks Junior High on Division Street, in back of McCoy Stadium. The multi division parade will be led by Grand Marshal, Colonel Brendan Doherty, head of the Rhode Island State Police.

There will be a great variety of bands and marching units traveling down Walcott Street to the downtown area to pass in front of the reviewing stand in front of the City Hall on Roosevelt Avenue.

          Four bagpipe bands will appear; The Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums, the Springfield Kilties, Brian Boru Pipe Band and the Newport AOH Pipes and Drums.

Children of all ages will be delighted by the Hills Mills Clown Band.  Colonial era groups returning to the city include the Federal Blues, Gloucester Light Infantry and the Rehoboth Minute Men.

          Prize winning high school bands include the Douglas High Marching Band and the Seekonk High Band.  The Nite Life Entertainment Party Band and the 88^th Army Band will add to the fun.

          There will be other smaller marching units but are guaranteed crowd pleasers. St. Patrick himself ( Rev. Joseph Paquette) will be in the line of march along with Paws and Sox and Samboni from the Providence Bruins.

           The reviewing stand marks the end of the parade but the fun continues immediately afterward in the Pawtucket Armory. The doors to the largest post parade party in the state open at 1 PM. The Tom Lanigan Band will be playing music for dancing and food, beverage and Irish items will be offered for sale. The price of admission for this family friendly event has remained the same for 27 years.  The cost for adults is $2 and children under 12 with an adult are admitted free.