Cleveland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day truck float joins the parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

A float celebrating U.S.-Irish ties at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Dorothy A. Todd, Chief of Police, left, and Mayor Justin Bibb, center, talk to one of the parade participants, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Man playing bagpipes on castle float, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Man playing bagpipes on a float during the St. Patrick's Day parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

People riding unicycles during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Irish Setters owners dressed their pets for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

The owners of Irish Setters dressed their pets for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Great Lakes Brewing Company bringing Irish Ale, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Great Lakes Brewing Company bring hauling Irish Ale to the St. Patrick's day festivities, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Irish Wolfhounds, one of the largest breed of dogs, in the parade, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

Dimples and Lucky, wearing green on their hooves, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

The Apollo Base Rebel Legion bringing Star Wars to the community, March 17, 2024. (credit: Alex Martinez)

By ALEX MARTINEZ - posted March 25, 2024

The Cleveland community celebrated its 184th annual commemoration of St. Patrick's Day with a parade, March 17, through downtown Cleveland.

The parade is one of the oldest in Ohio, first staged in 1842 by Catholic Priest, Rev. McLaughlin, when Cleveland was only a few decades old.

This year's parade meandered down Superior Ave from East 18th St with a host of schools and organizations taking part in honor of the city's Irish community and Cleveland's historical links to Ireland.

Before the parade, Bishop Edward Malesic blessed the parade, and Kathleen Cooper sung the national anthems of the United States and Ireland.

“This is a day that everyone in Cleveland and outside of Cleveland can be Irish for one day” said Michele Pomerantz, Chief of Education for Mayor Justin Bibb and the city of Cleveland. “The mayor loves having an opportunity for families to celebrate their heritage and I’m also glad it's on a Sunday so we can have a couple of hours off.

Cleveland public officials, groups and communities took part -- from Mayor Justin Bibb to CITY DOGS, the adoption and volunteer program for Cleveland Animal Care and Control.

Thousands of families and friends watched the procession and joined the festivities, many wearing St. Patrick's Day hats, clover shirts and some even dyeing their hair green.

Many surrounding businesses, including pubs, food carts and restaurants got into the festive mood, some opening as early as 8 a.m., serving all-day Irish breakfasts, shepherd's pie and other foods from the emerald isle for those who were hungry before and after the parade.

“This was my first time at the parade and although it was freezing out here I enjoyed seeing all the different parade floats,” said Armando Martinez, dressed in bright green. “I never knew that so many schools and communities could join together in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.”

Next Year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as always, will be on March 17, a Monday in 2025. But it will start an hour later at 2:04 p.m. to give people more time to attend and enjoy the festivities.