The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a cherished tradition held on St. Croix for over five decades, saw a triumphant return on Saturday.

The 52nd annual event took place in downtown Christiansted, where green and white decorations adorned the streets. The parade commenced at Fort Christiansvaern and proceeded through Company Street and Market Street before turning onto King Street and concluding back at the Fort. St. Croix Majorettes, The Domino Club, and the Gentlemen of Jones, along with many other groups, enlivened the event. Green necklaces, a St. Patrick’s Day parade staple, were distributed generously, as joyous attendees sported wide grins.

This year marked the second St. Patrick’s Day Parade on St. Croix following the pandemic, with the first post-Covid event occurring in 2022. This time, however, the celebration roared back to life with larger crowds and euphoria.

Courtney Leaf, a parade-goer, expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s the best parade day ever. This is my second parade. Every year, I look forward to the community coming together.” Daniel Rivera praised the impressive turnout, noting, “This year had a huge turnout. I love the music and food and I will definitely be back next year.”

Brian Daley, a 23-year attendee, shared his delight at rejoining the festivities with friends. “So happy to be back out on the streets for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I love seeing everyone back on the road and having a full-size parade route. All the regulars are back, including The Lost Dog Pub, The Domino Club, Gentlemen of Jones, and the St. Croix Majorettes,” he said.

St. Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a religious and cultural holiday celebrated on March 17 to honor the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s foremost patron saint. Established as an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century, it is observed by various denominations, including the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church. Historical records indicate that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony led by an Irish priest from Spain named Ricardo Artur.