Saint Patty Returns!

For the first time in two years since the global pandemic began, the streets of San Francisco are flooded with a sea of green, corned beef and cabbage, and pints of Guinness. All of it is to celebrate the return of the 171st St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade, with its lavishly decorated floats, highlighted Irish culture ranging from bagpipes, Irish line dancing, to the heritage that is connected with the police, firefighters, and San Francisco itself. Numerous local Irish community groups, workers unions, and first responders paraded up Market Street to the front of City Hall where they would be judged by the Parade Grand Marshall for performance or float design. Key figures from local or state government positions, such as San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, California State Senator Scott Weiner, and the Consul General of Ireland Robert O’Driscoll, attended the parade dressed in green or colors of the Ireland national flag, green white and orange waving to crowds of people. Many of those attending celebrated the fact that the parade was even happening,considering it was put on hold due to the global pandemic for the last two years. Irish descent or not, many in attendance were in pure bliss to experience an Irish parade, not the mention to see the magnificent performances showcasing Irish culture.