Important Change Coming For Buffalo St. Patrick’s Day Parade

St. Patrick's Day is being celebrated this weekend in Buffalo and this year, there's a big change coming for one of the parades.

Yes, that says one of the parades because St. Patrick's Day is so big in Buffalo that we need two parades just to feel like we've done it justice.

Each year we celebrate on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day with a huge parade that runs up Deleware Avenue.  That one is presented by the United Irish American Association.  There is another parade though, the day before that is known as the "Old Neighborhood Parade."  That one happens in South Buffalo on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day.

There's a big change to be aware of at this year's "Old Neighborhood Parade"

If you're thinking about taking in the "Old Neighborhood Parade" this year, you'll have to get up a little earlier. The start time for the parade is changing from noon to 11 a.m., which means that the prep time starts earlier.  Streets will be closing at 9 a.m. along the parade route in South Buffalo.

Streets that will be affected by the parade route include South Park Avenue, Smith Street, Elk Street, Hamburg Street, and South Street. Be aware though that travel through South Buffalo around the time of the parade will be difficult.  There will be thousands of people there.

It's worth it to be there for this one.  They've got everything in this parade from traditional Irish Dancers to floats and marching bands.  Then after the parade is over, they hold an "Irish Hooley" at the Valley Community Center (located at 93 Leddy St. in Buffalo) with live music by The Reardon and Garvey Band.