BOSTON — South Boston is ready for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The parade begins at the Broadway T-line stop and runs along West Broadway before ending at Andrew Square.
Businesses along the parade route prepare for a busy day and guests get excited.
Boston’s happiest tradition draws local crowds and guests, some even hailing from Scotland.
“It’s a big event. I want to see how a former colony celebrates Ireland,” said a visitor from Scotland.
Bostonians are happy to be on West Broadway and celebrate each other.
“I think it’s something if everyone comes together and as a city can be more or less behind the same opportunity,” says Boston neighbor Lucas Watt.
“I’ll be in here and the door is locked, and the bathroom won’t be used,” says Paul, a Southie resident since the 1960s. protecting his launderette along the parade route. “They can come up here and smash the window. Like it’s broken behind me, so you have to be careful with this one.’
Meanwhile, new businesses are also squatting nearby.
“We’re so excited for people to enjoy the parade. We’re just not letting people into the store,” said Colleen Dunleavy, owner of the Love Child store in South Boston.
Some companies hope to take advantage of a busy weekend in Boston.
For example, the owners of New England Outfitters traveled from Worcester.
“We’re running out. Tomorrow is going to be chaos. So get ’em while they’re hot,” says New England Outfitters owner Brett Pettis.
Clearly, Boston is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
As of 2021, 9.6 percent of residents claim Irish ancestry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But in Massachusetts, that number is nearly 20 percent.
So it’s a guarantee that Southie’s sidewalks will be packed outside and the bars inside will be overflowing.
