May the road rise to meet you...

The following is a news release from the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.


We Need Your Help!

The Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade has earned a reputation as one of the best parades in New England! Many may not realize that it is the nation’s 6th oldest parade and Connecticut’s largest single-day spectator event! In 1999, the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade was recognized by Congress as a “Local Legacy” and is so noted in the Library of Congress as an outstanding example of American folk life.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade annually attracts over 250,000-300,000 people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds throughout New England who come to celebrate this annual rite of spring. The parade, which first stepped off in 1842 in downtown New Haven with 60 marchers and a single band, now boasts of approximately 4,000 marchers including national and international political figures and bands and units from across the globe.

Our challenge is to keep the tradition going…and that is where we need your help! The parade is organized by an all-volunteer committee, known as the Associated Irish Societies, that works tirelessly year round to raise the approximately $80,000 it costs to make the parade happen.

You can help by making a donation to the Associated Irish Societies. All donations are tax deductible (to the extent allowed by the law) as the Associated Irish Societies, is a 501(c)3 organization.

You may make your donation by either mailing a check to Associated Irish Societies, P.O. Box 2, New Haven, CT 06510; or through the parade’s website www.stpatricksdayparade.org. Once there, click on the “Make a Donation” button and it will lead you to a very safe and secure link to make a contribution via PayPal. PayPal is free to consumers and works seamlessly with existing credit cards and checking accounts. It is a recognized safe and secure way to ensure the continuation of this “Local Legacy.”

Your support is sincerely appreciated and we look forward to seeing you at the Parade on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.!

Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee