The Early Years
Buffalo's first Parade was in 1916 in the First Ward, an Irish-American neighborhood. It was reported that nearly 300 members of the Gaelic Athletic Association participated in this inaugural event. Unlike the parades of today, the first parade did not have floats or bands; it was simply a group of proud Irish-Americans marching in celebration of their heritage.
After the first parade, local churches began to assist with organizing the parade and bands were invited to participate. Later newspaper reports indicated that participation in the parade was not limited to residents of Irish extraction; rather, it seems that the only requirement was that participants be Irish for the day in question. Although Buffalonians seemed to enjoy this festive occasion, the tradition eventually disappeared from Buffalo for several years.
In 1940, New York State Senator Robert C. Lacey, perhaps inspired by Buffalo's grand St. Patrick's Day Parades of the past, decided that Buffalonians should again have the opportunity to have a Parade to celebrate Ireland's patron saint. He determined, however, that the marchers would follow a route along Main Street in downtown Buffalo. Senator Lacey worked with a dedicated committee, including: Frank White, James Considine, Charlie Meegan, Martin Gavin, Judge Patrick Keeler, George White, Edward Howell, and John McBride. After the committee had elected Senator Lacey president, the group received its charter in 1941. Thus, the United Irish American Association of Erie County, Inc. (UIAA), which still exists today, was officially formed.
With the exception of the World War II years (1942-1945), the UIAA has annually carried on the tradition begun by Senator Lacey and his committee. Even during World War II, the parade committee did not rest. They supported the war effort, and encouraged others to do so, by donating blood and praying for the safety and success of America's troops.
The UIAA convened in January 1946 and resolved to end the St. Patrick's Day Parade's wartime hiatus. The parade committee also decided to issue special invitations to Buffalo's WWII contingent. In addition to providing the service men with a chance to celebrate in a special way with their community, the parade allowed observers to again shower the troops with appreciation.
The United Irish American Association
The United Irish American Association, or UIAA as it is often called, is made up of men and women from throughout the Western New York area. The UIAA members begin meeting, on a weekly basis, several months prior to the Parade to make all of the necessary preparations. The UIAA's members work together to provide the citizens of the Greater Buffalo area with the best possible St. Patrick's Day Parade. In addition to working with the groups who are interested in participating in the Parade, the UIAA works with various City of Buffalo departments, including Police, Fire, Special Events, and Streets and Sanitation, to ensure that the Parade is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
In addition to positions such as president, vice president, chairperson, and secretary, which are common in many organizations, the UIAA also relies on people with titles like Chief of Staff, Assistant Chief of Staff, Division Marshal, and Route Marshal to make the Parade a success. The Chief of Staff is responsible for the prodigious task of receiving Parade entries from participating groups, then assigning them to a position in one of the Parade's seven divisions. The Chief of Staff then makes this information available to the Division Marshals; on the day of the Parade, the Division Marshals are responsible for ensuring that each unit in their division is present, prepared to march, and lined up in the appropriate slot. When the Parade begins, the Division Marshals signal each unit in turn that the time has come to begin marching. The Route Marshals, stationed along the Parade route, work to ensure that the Parade is moving along as planned.
Grand Marshal - A Once In A Lifetime Experience
Each year, the Executive Committee of the UIAA, which meets for several months prior to the Parade, convenes a special meeting to elect a Grand Marshal from among its members. It is considered a great honor to be named as the Grand Marshal; each member of the UIAA may serve in this capacity only once during his or her lifetime. The Grand Marshal may appoint Deputy Grand Marshals, such as a family members or friends, to accompany him or her leading the Parade down Delaware Avenue.
Buffalo's St. Patrick's Day Parade has yielded many interesting, touching, and inspirational stories with regard to its Grand Marshals. For example, although it has been the norm to have one Grand Marshal, there have been exceptions. In one case, the Parade Committee's attempt to elect a Grand Marshal resulted in a tie vote. Neither candidate was willing to withdraw from the race, so the Parade Committee decreed that they would serve together. On the day of the Parade, one led the line of march from the starting point to the halfway mark, and the other from that point to the end of the parade route.
Robert Brennan's experience is also notable. He served as Grand Marshal, after extensive service to the UIAA, in 1966, the year of the UIAA's silver jubilee. Daniel Hannon III's experience was similarly momentous; he served as Grand Marshal in 1991, the UIAA's golden jubilee. 1978 was also a special year. It was that year that Martha K. Harkin was named Grand Marshal; she was the first woman ever to serve in that capacity in Buffalo. Since then, five other women have served as Grand Marshal.
In addition to being the first woman to serve as Grand Marshal, Martha Harkin was also the first woman to share the distinction of having served as Grand Marshal with her husband. Martha's husband, Tom, had served as Grand Marshal in 1964. Raymond O'Brien served as Grand Marshal in 1958 and his wife, Catherine, served in 1984; John Roberts, Grand Marshal in 1970, was succeeded by his wife, Mary, in 1987.
The O'Brien and Roberts families fostered an appreciation for the Irish heritage in their children. Raymond and Catherine O'Brien's son, Dennis, served as Grand Marshal in 1988 and John and Mary Roberts' son, Michael, served as Grand Marshal in 1995. Brigid Anne Courtney Knott, who served as Grand Marshal in 1981, followed in the footsteps of her father, Thomas Courtney, who had served as Grand Marshal in 1962. These families taught their children not only to celebrate their Irish heritage, but also to work to continue a proud Buffalo tradition, which enables the entire community to join in that celebration.
Thomas Gilmartin served as Grand Marshal of Buffalo's 59th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, which was held on March 19, 2000. A longtime member of the United Irish American Association, Tom was joined by his wife, Mary, who served as his Deputy Grand Marshal. Their children and infant grandson followed immediately behind them.
A Community Event
Buffalo's St. Patrick's Day Parade is traditionally held on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day, March 17. Each year, thousands of people flock downtown to enjoy the annual tradition. As two o'clock draws near, one notices the Irish tricolor flags lining the Parade route, the children and adults sitting in lawn chairs along the curb, and the excitement and anticipation in the air.
Promptly at two o'clock, the Parade begins. As the Grand Marshal, Deputy Grand Marshals, bagpipers, local dignitaries, and UIAA Executive Committee members begin to lead the Parade, the crowd roars its approval -- a Buffalo tradition continues! From the first marchers to the last, it is evident that the Buffalo St. Patrick's Day Parade is truly a community event. High school marching bands, Irish step dancers, Civil War reenactment groups, fire trucks, Irish-American philanthropic organizations, and many others march proudly along to frequent cheers from the people of all ages lining the Parade route.
For the Parade participants, this is an exciting time. Their hard work, in preparation for this day, has paid off. Even for groups like the Irish dancers, high school marching bands, and bagpipe bands who practice regularly and participate in events throughout the year, this event is special. Whether it is the size of the crowd, the historic and cultural significance, or the opportunity to earn an award, this event is the source of much excitement and anticipation throughout the year.
For other groups, such as youth groups, philanthropic organizations, and religious groups, the St. Patrick's Day Parade might represent their only annual opportunity to participate in this kind of community event. These groups often devote a great deal of time and attention to preparing for this annual event. When a beautiful float passes by to the cheers of the appreciative crowd, it is evident that the group represented by that float spent countless hours preparing it. Other groups create banners, wear matching clothing, or proclaim their affiliation in other creative ways. As these groups pass by, the community spirit of Buffalo's St. Patrick's Day Parade is evident. Many of the floats contain gleeful children; participants wave enthusiastically to people in the crowd, and people lining Delaware Avenue frequently call out to their family members, friends, co-workers, and local heroes who are marching, dancing, riding on a float, or playing a bagpipe.
During their journey, the groups pass a sign that lets them know that they are entering the Judging Area. In addition to providing a way to celebrate Irish heritage and culture, the Parade also offers these groups an opportunity to win prizes. It seems, at this point in the Parade, as if the dancers kick higher, the bagpipers and school marching bands play their best, and adults and children on floats wave more enthusiastically. Judging is done by an organization independent from the United Irish American Association. The UIAA invites all Parade participants to a ceremony, which takes place a few weeks after the Parade itself, for the awards presentation.
The celebration continues after the Parade. Thousands of pounds of corned beef and cabbage are consumed at restaurants throughout the Greater Buffalo area and many venues feature traditional Irish music and performances by local traditional Irish step dancing schools. Buffalonians of all nationalities participate -- it does not matter whether they are Irish by birth, marriage, or choice. On the day of Buffalo's St. Patrick's Day Parade, everyone is included in the celebration.