Raleigh St. Patrick's Day parade marches on

Music, dancing, bagpipes and lots of green are expected at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Raleigh with one difference this year – there will be no motorized vehicles.

It’s been a little over a year since the tragic death of 11-year-old Hailey Brooks, killed by a runaway truck at the 2022 Raleigh Christmas parade.

The city has responded to this devastating incident by putting a new safety protocol in place at this year’s parade that prohibits motorized vehicles.

Dianne Enright, the St. Patrick’s Day parade director, has been a part of the parade’s volunteering committee for 23 years and director for 14 years. “Just because it is a non-vehicle parade, it does not mean it won’t be fun. There will still be marching bands, music, and dancers,” she said.

This is the parade’s 40th annual event and will take place this Saturday starting on the west side of the State Capitol Building, towards the intersection of Hillsborough and Salisbury Street and will end on Lenoir Street.

The official after-party fun will take place at Hibernian Pub at 310 Glenwood Ave. Live entertainment will be provided in continuance of the festivities.

Wes Alexander, general manager, said the Irish restaurant has been preparing for the past 3 months for visitors and guests to stop in during the weekend fun.

“We are preparing for the best. We want everyone to leave from the parade, grab a plus one, and come to the pub,” says Alexander.

This Irish holiday dates back to the 17th century, and is a celebration of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It has been a tradition for centuries to carry out this holiday by parading, wearing green and drinking at a good pub.

Nakya Carter is a graduating senior, double major in Mass Communication and Business Management at Shaw University.