- 28th Annual Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade takes place Sunday, March 15 –
TORONTO, March 10, 2015 /CNW/ - On Sunday, March 15, thousands will line the streets for one of North America's premier St. Patrick's Day celebrations, the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Grand Marshal for the 2015 parade is Police Chief Bill Blair.
"The parade has definitely been embraced as a St. Patrick's Day tradition by Toronto's Irish community and beyond," says Alan Louthe, Chair of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Executive Committee. "We're thrilled to honour Chief Blair as this year's Grand Marshal. Toronto Police have played an important role in the parade throughout its 28-year history. In fact, the Police Pipe Band was one of the first confirmed acts for the inaugural parade and has marched in the parade every year since."
With approximately 100 floats, bands and marching sections from a variety of cultural groups, the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrates Ireland, Toronto's Irish community and the diversity that makes Toronto great.
"Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!" says Louthe. "The parade is a reflection of that; Torontonians from all backgrounds come together to celebrate the Emerald Isle!"
This year the parade kicks off with the Shamrocks & Sneakers 4K Walk/Run to support Cabbagetown Youth Centre. Starting at noon, participants will run or walk the parade route directly ahead of the parade procession. Registration is $30 with proceeds supporting Cabbagetown Youth Centre. Registration for the event is available at www.cabbagetownyouth.ca.
Parade goers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the parade. Toronto Paramedic Association and Toronto Paramedic Services Volunteers will march the parade route collecting items for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Last year the paramedics collected 1,130 lbs of food at the parade and hope to improve on that mark on Sunday.
PARADE DETAILS AT A GLANCE:
About the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade is a celebration of St. Patrick, Ireland and Canada, which incorporates Toronto's various cultural groups. The parade has been organized by the Toronto St. Patrick's Parade Society since 1988; it is run entirely by volunteers with generous support from sponsors and partners.
SOURCE St. Patrick's Parade Society
Image with caption: "The parade starts across from Varsity Stadium heading east on Bloor, then turning south on Yonge, making a final turn west on Queen and finishing at Nathan Phillips Square. The parade is expected to take approximately an hour and a half to pass any point along the parade route. (CNW Group/St. Patrick's Parade Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150310_C4057_PHOTO_EN_12972.jpg
Image with caption: "With approximately 100 floats, bands and marching sections from a variety of cultural groups, the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 15 will celebrate Ireland, Toronto's Irish community and the diversity that makes Toronto great. (CNW Group/St. Patrick's Parade Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150310_C4057_PHOTO_EN_12973.jpg
Sinead Brown, [email protected], www.topatrick.com
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