Maria Regina St. Patrick's Day Parades

by Julianna Mangione and Melissa DeLuise | April 2025

Every year, cities around the world are painted green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, honoring the Irish patron saint and the vibrant culture of the Irish. Parades flow the streets full of green accessories, live music, and a sense of Irish pride. This year, the parades kept the tradition alive with Maria Regina participating in the White Plains, Throgs Neck, Sleepy Hollow, New York City, and Yonkers parades in a show of solidarity with Irish tradition. 

Maria Regina students attended the White Plains St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 8th at 11:30 A.M. and started to line up at 12:00 P.M. Since they were marching in the second division, they  began   marching at 12:30 P.M. Once they started , there was a lot of going and stopping. The marching band was in the front, the marchers in the back, and the cheer team in-between. The feeling the girls had while marching, seeing all the people cheering, was electrifying. They were proudly announced as “Maria Regina.” The parade ended at 1:30 P.M. 

The 27th annual Throgs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in the morning, starting at East Tremont and Lafayette Avenues. The Maria Regina Marching Band was one of 60 marching bands. 

The Sleepy Hollow Parade actually fell on Sleepy Hollow's 150th anniversary this year, so it was two celebrations in one! In Sleepy Hollow, the Maria Regina girls marched and saw many different schools from across Westchester with distinct bands. 

The St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City is the largest and most famous in the world. Starting in 1762, it has nearly two million spectators each year. Maria Regina students drove into Manhattan early morning on Monday, March 17th. They lined up and marched three miles to 5th Avenue along with bagpipers, Irish dancers, the New York Police Department, the New York Fire Department, and Irish organizations from all over the world!

The Yonkers Parade started after 1:00. There were many different bands. There were students from many different Catholic high schools such as Spellman. 

For some people, the parades bring together old friends you haven’t seen in years or family you come to celebrate with. It’s not just a holiday; it's a party of an entire heritage.