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Get Your Green On Before Becoming Polish for the Day!

Buffalo is home to two of the world’s largest St. Patrick’s and Dyngus Day celebrations.

February 21, 2008 - The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations begin on Saturday, March 15th at noon with the “Old Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Retracing the original 1913 parade route through the historic streets of the Valley and Old First Ward neighborhoods, this is one of Buffalo’s oldest parades. Afterwards, celebrate with an authentic Irish “hooley” (party) with live music and refreshments.

On Sunday, March 16th at 2 p.m., join the tens of thousands that flock to Buffalo’s biggest procession, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Beginning at Niagara Square in Downtown Buffalo, the parade marches through a one-mile route along Delaware Avenue to North Street. The street spectacle features Irish music, dancers, bands and plenty of Irish surprises. Afterwards, head over to Rotary Rink at Main and Chippewa Streets for family post-parade party, with free ice skating, clowns, face painting, and concessions. For more information, visit www.buffaloplace.com

If you’re still in the mood to party on the 17th, check out one of the dozens of Irish restaurants and pubs around the city. From the venerable Gene McCarthy’s at 73 Hamburg Street in the Old First Ward to the newly opened Jack Devine’s on Chippewa, to D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub on Franklin, to the classic Irish Times by Dunn Tire Park to W.J. Morrissey’s in the Cobblestone District to everyone’s favorite Cole’s on Elmwood, there’s a little bit of Irish everywhere in Buffalo!

Come and celebrate Dyngus Day in Buffalo with the largest celebration in the world. March 24th marks Dyngus Day, or Easter Monday. Show your Polish pride or become Polish for the day and partake in this annual unique ethnic and cultural experience. This post-Lenten tradition attracts tens of thousands in marking the beginning of spring. From polka to pussywillows, parades to parties, Buffalo’s Polonia District has festivities galore on Dyngus Day. The highlight of this celebration is the Annual Dyngus Day Parade. Beginning at the Broadway Market, the parade passes through numerous Dyngus Day celebrations in its way around Buffalo’s Historic Polonia District.

Dyngus Day in Buffalo has been a longstanding tradition. The Polonia District dates back to the 1870s, and modern Dyngus Day festivities have been celebrated for more than 40 years at locations around the city.

For more information, visit www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com.