photo courtesy of St. Patricks Day Bridgeport

Mark your calendars for Friday March 17th because Greater Bridgeport is hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Yup… on ACTUAL St. Patricks Day, “thank gosh it’s on a Friday!”

The day will look like:

8:30 AM Mass
St. Augustine Cathedral, 359 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport

9:30 AM Flag Raising Ceremony
45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport

10 AM Gaelic-American Club Annual Flag Raising Ceremony
74 Beach Road, Fairfield

12 Noon Parade in Black Rock
Starts at Burroughs Community, 2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport (corner of Fairfield Avenue and Ellsworth Street) and travels down Fairfield Avenue to The Castle, Black Rock, 3171 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport (corner of Courtland Avenue)

2 PM Aer Lingus Raffle |
The Castle, Black Rock

The actual parade doesn’t start until Noon, however, people will start gathering around 9 AM. Plan to end around 2 near The Castle

Brannelly gathered a small group of people representing the local Irish community to discuss an idea that became reality on March 17, 1983-the First Annual Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The original parade was small by comparison to later efforts; but nonetheless a proud display of Irish spirit, led by our first Grand Marshal, Martin Reidy, a respected member of the Irish- American community of Greater Bridgeport and a charter member of the Gaelic-American Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Bridgeport.

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photo courtesy of St. Patricks Day Bridgeport

For over 2 decades the St. Patricks Day Parade took place in Downtown Bridgeport. However, after not being held for 3 years due to COVID they are moving to Fairfield Avenue in Black Rock, Bridgeport! Fairfield Ave is the perfect place to hold the parade granted they have some many Irish-American style pubs and taverns. There are enough establishments to hold all parade goers and more!

Via CT Irish Heritage

“In November 1982, at the request of then – Mayor Leonard Paoletta, City Clerk Catherine Brannelly gathered a small group of people representing the local Irish community to discuss an idea that became reality on March 17, 1983-the First Annual Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The original parade was small by comparison to later efforts; but nonetheless a proud display of Irish spirit, led by our first Grand Marshal, Martin Reidy, a respected member of the Irish- American community of Greater Bridgeport and a charter member of the Gaelic-American Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Bridgeport.”

Visit stpatricksdaybridgeport.com for more information about the 2023 parade and the history of past parades!

Check out our St. Patrick’s Day Guide at instagram.com/203local.com!