Blog / Cape Cod Events / Are You Ready for the 2019 Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day Parade?
Every year around this time, Cape Cod begins preparations for its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The 2019 edition marks the 14th year of its existence and promises to be the largest yet, with floats, awards, and other events bringing residents of the Cape together.
One thing to keep in mind is that the parade takes place on Saturday, March 9 at 11 AM, a full eight days before St. Patrick’s Day. So, if you’re in the mood to celebrate Irish culture a bit early this year, make your way to Yarmouth and find yourself a comfortable place to take in all the festivities.
Photograph courtesy of Kelsie Corbett from https://capecodstpatricksparade.com/
The Grand Marshall
The 2019 Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day is a special one because it will honor the memory of Sargent Sean Gannon, the Yarmouth police officer who was shot and killed while serving a warrant on April 12, 2018.
Gannon and his K9 partner, Nero, who was also shot in the attack but survived his injuries, marched in the 2018 parade, so it makes sense to remember them during this year's event.
The parade's Grand Marshall is Peter B. McClelland, a retired K9 police officer from Yarmouth who trained Nero with Gannon before Gannon took him full time. McClelland spent 30 years as a dog handler with the Yarmouth Police Department and is known for his dedication to not only the dogs that he has trained over the years but the Cape Cod community as a whole.
The Floats
Of course, the main attractions at the parade are the floats, and this year’s version will have plenty of them. You'll have to wait for the actual event to see what this year's floats will look like, but various local businesses will have constructions, with each competing for the parade's four major awards:
Other groups participating in the parade include first responders from around Cape Cod, pipe bands from across the country, and various local marching bands. In addition, you'll have the chance to see antique cars and trucks.
Given the tragedy suffered by the Cape Cod policing community last year, organizers sent invitations to every police department in Massachusetts, along with select law enforcement units from Europe.
The Parade Route
The Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day Parade route starts at Skull Island Adventure Golf & Sports World and runs to the Town 'n Country Motor Lodge. The entire journey is along Route 28 and is about two miles long, giving you plenty of places to set up for its duration.
Remember that many local businesses will be open during the parade and will remain open after, so feel free to make a day of it in downtown Yarmouth.
Everything Else You Should Know
Before heading down to the parade on March 9, there are a few other things you should know. First, there will be some other awards handed out to the best marching, musical, and pipe bands, as well as exceptional people in the Cape Cod community. The recipients of some of these awards have already been decided, while other decisions will come later.
Secondly, if you're aged 21 or over, you'll have the chance to enjoy a pint or two while watching the parade at Red Face Jack's. The pub, which sits along the parade route, will have a tent set up in its parking lot and will be selling beer throughout the day. The beer garden opens half an hour before the parade starts, so get down there early to make sure you have a great spot to watch.
Finally, the theme of this year's parade is community spirit. All of the floats will incorporate the idea of community spirit, and you can show your pride in the Cape's community by showing up and supporting the 14th annual Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day Parade in Yarmouth.
