A sea of green moved through the Center City streets today during one of the nation’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade began at noon. The parade started on 16th Street and JFK Boulevard and continued north on 16th, all the way up to the Ben Franklin Parkway.
Beginning in 1771, Philly’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the second oldest in the country. More than 150 groups and 20,000 participants marched this year.
JFK Boulevard was closed between 16th and 20th Streets but reopened after 1 p.m. The Parkway will be closed between 16th Street and Eakins Oval until 4 p.m.
Many of this year’s participants also attended a Saint Patrick’s Day mass. The mass at the St. Patrick Parish Rectory at 20th and Locust Streets began around 9:15 a.m. Archbishop Charles Chaput gave the homily during the service.
A local restaurant is also celebrating St. Patrick's Day and raising money for a good cause in the process. Fado Irish Pub on 15th and Locust Streets will hold their annual “Saint Baldrick’s Day” charity event. The pub is hosting a head-shaving event until 9 p.m.
The event raises money and awareness to help fight children’s cancer. The goal this year is $35,000.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Whether you attended the mass, parade, fundraiser, or any other event, we want to see your Saint Patrick's Day photos. Send us your pictures by using this link.
