Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown and South District Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon, joined by the United Irish American Association (UIAA), kicked off St. Patrick’s Day week by hosting an Irish flag-raising ceremony in Niagara Square. The event celebrated the upcoming return of the UIAA’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Delaware Avenue and the Valley Community Association’s Old Neighborhood Parade in the Old First Ward. Both parades were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year in Buffalo, both the Ukrainian flag and the Irish Flag will wave on the same pole in Niagara Square.
“After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, I look forward to the return of Buffalo’s St. Patrick’s Day parades this weekend, yet another sign of life returning to normal,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “As we raise the Irish flag in Niagara Square, we launch the official countdown to St. Patrick’s Day 2022 and are reminded that in Buffalo, we have much to celebrate, including the many contributions and achievements of the Irish community rooted right here in our great city. While St. Patrick’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize our Irish brothers and sisters, let’s also highlight our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We must stand firmly with the Ukrainian people abroad and at home, who are battling to defend their citizens, their homeland, their democracy, and their freedom.”
“After two very long, difficult years, we’re thrilled to see the return of the St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Buffalo,” said South District Councilmember Christopher P. Scanlon. “While we spend this week celebrating and honoring the history of Ireland and its people, our hearts are with the people of the Ukraine who are fighting to keep their history and culture alive.”
“It is an honor to be part of today’s Irish flag-raising ceremony, as both of my parents were born in Ireland,” said Patrick McGuinness, the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “Sunday’s parade is going to be a great day for the Irish and Western New York!”
The Old Neighborhood Parade is Saturday, March 19th at noon, beginning on South Park Avenue and ending on Louisiana Street and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Sunday, March 20th at 2:00pm on Delaware Avenue.