Students in the Kinlough Academy show off their Irish dance skills as they march up West First Street.
OSWEGO, NY – Cead Mile Failte!
The inaugural Oswego St. Patrick’s Day Parade was greeted bright blue skies, temperatures that flirted with 60 degrees and a large enthusiastic crowd on Saturday.
Clusters of parade watchers lined West First Street toward Bridge Street.
Some of them staked out prime viewing locations a few hours prior to the 1 p.m. start time of the parade.
The crowd was even larger along Bridge Street.
From the parade’s starting point on West First Street to the conclusion on East First Street, there were an estimated 3,000 people – including the 200 participants in the parade itself.
“I can’t believe this weather! Last year at this time it was like 20 degrees with a foot of snow.” exclaimed one long-time Oswego resident. “God loves the Irish!”
Cre8 Studios, with the support of the Oswego community, hosted the parade.
The parade marched up West First Street and then headed to East First Street, where it concluded at the Lake Ontario Conference Center.
Cre8 Studios owner and event director, Christopher Jones, thanked the community for its support; those who helped make the parade a reality in such a short time as well as the multitude that turned out to watch.
“We couldn’t have done this without them,” he told Oswego County Today. “This has really exceeded our expectations.”
He hopes events like the parade will help restore residents’ pride in their city and attract more people to make the Port City a destination.
“It’s unbelievable how great the weather is,” Jones said. “The crowds are great. We really appreciate the turnout. For two weeks, three weeks putting this all together – we couldn’t be happier with the turnout.”
“They did a fantastic job putting this together in just a little time,” former Oswego Mayor Terry Hammill said. “There are a lot more people here than I expected for a first-time parade. Now, hopefully, they will stick around after the parade, visit the downtown businesses and give the economy a shot in the arm.”
The Oswego Dragon Boat Club won the award for Best Parade Entry. Judges were Karen Oakes, Greg Mills and Bruce Bailey.
Missy Taylor and her daughter, Mikayla Taylor pose with a green car from Burritt’s. Mikayla is an office worker at the Oswego car dealership.
Some took to the rooftops to view the Port City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Buddy, the Siberian Husky, shows off his Irish side – in spite of his utter disdain for hats.
Ellen Butler Clark with Janica Clark, center, and Courtney Lighthaul, left, share some green cookies with the parade goers.
A canine member of the parade gets a welcomed belly rub along the parade route.
Students in the Kinlough Academy show off their Irish dance skills as they march up West First Street.
The Oswego Fire Department reminded everyone to change their clocks Saturday night – and check their smoke alarm batteries.
Down Beat Percussion was one of the most popular units in the parade.
Team RWB leads the way to kick off the parade Saturday afternoon.
At West First and Bridge streets, Mayor William Barlow waves to some of the hundreds of people that came to view the parade
Some of Miss Kelly’s Dance Company wave to the crowd from their Irish-themed float.
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