Pride / Tradition / Morale / Public Relations

"Tradition" …….

In the late 1800's, early 1900's, when the Irish immigrated to the United States, the only jobs the Irish could get were the dangerous jobs that no one else wanted (Police / Firefighter) 

This is why traditionally, over the years - there have been groups of uniformed personnel of both Police and Fire Departments, proudly representing their agencies and municipalities in the St. Patricks Day Parade's around the country. Chicago / Boston / New York / Savannah, to name a few. 

Since 1968, when local Delray Beach restaurant owner Maury Powers started the parade, it has historically been the biggest St. Patricks Day Parade in the state of Florida. 

In 2010, a group of local Firefighters were invited to develop an international Emergency Services theme to the parade. In the last three years, the parade has had uniformed Firefighters, Police Officers, and Paramedics from Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Canada, and all across the continental United States, march shoulder to shoulder and traditionally representing their communities with pride, honor, dignity, respect, patriotism, and teamwork, in a beautiful mosaic patchwork quilt of community unity. A role model image for all children to see. 

The parade is truly one of a kind. It's the only St. Patricks Day Parade in the United States to have the Emergency Services operate / manage it.

Each year a different Emergency Services agency is placed up front, to lead the parade and represent their municipality. This is our way of welcoming these outside communities with open arms - welcome to our city, our home is your home message, with the Delray Beach Emergency Services host - right behind the guest lead agency in the parade.

The parade proceeds above and beyond operating costs, go to non profit 501c3 programs (Fire / Police / EMS)

If you'd like to make a contribution towards supporting this historic event, please click here - http://www.gofundme.com/9n2b30

Next years parade will fall on the weekend of Saturday March 14th, 2015 - with the parade festivals in Old School Square, beginning on Friday March 13th. For more information on the parade, please visit our website at www.fireparade.com  

You don't have to be Irish to be a part of this amazing experience. Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Slainte'