After two years of on again off again cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers of Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day parade have announced its return.
The event will go ahead this year and will take place Sunday, March 20 – provided Ontario’s current reopening plan stays on schedule.
“We’re expecting double the attendance,” said Shaun Ruddy, the Chair of the St. Patrick’s Parade Society. “I think people are anxious to get out and support.”
He and his fellow organizers cancelled the parade in 2020 and 2021 amid public health concerns for its participants and volunteers, as well as people who had planned to attend.
Ruddy said what makes all the work worthwhile is the chance to see families enjoying the parade outside again.
“We’re looking forward to everyone getting their green on,” added Ruddy.
Event organizers are asking for all those in attendance to follow guidelines outlined by the municipal, provincial and federal authorities in response to the ongoing pandemic.
Physical distancing, wearing a face mask, and maintaining healthy habits like hand washing, and sanitizing are encouraged at all times.
The parade will begin at the corner of St. George and Bloor Street West at 12 p.m. and proceed down Yonge Street, turning left towards the reviewing stand at Nathan Phillips Square.
Many of the Irish-themed pubs along the route are hoping the parade could bring a much-needed business boost.
“We sort of rely on the office towers being busy, and the hotels being busy, with convention groups, and tourists in the summer – and all those areas were heavily impacted,” said Gavin Quinn. His family owns several downtown pubs, including Quinn’s Steakhouse and Irish bar, PJ O’Brien’s Irish Pub, and the Irish Embassy.
Quinn wants folks to remember that the day is still a religious holiday in celebration of the patron saint of Ireland.
The supposed large crowds are also on the mind of Michael McLaughlin, general manager at Grace O’Malley’s Irish pub.
“For me, there’s a bit of nostalgia obviously back home to Ireland. But this year especially I’m really excited for it because, with the parade and St. Patrick’s Day itself, it’s a real signifier almost – a medal of returning to normal,” said McLaughlin.
Regardless of the parade, McLaughlin says the city’s strong Irish community is going to come out on St. Patrick’s Day regardless.
Quinn expressed how people are looking forward to getting back out in the community to see those they haven’t seen in upwards of two years.
Both Quinn and McLaughlin assured that safety measures will be in place for the upcoming celebration as Ontario gradually allows full capacity.