Old First Ward Celebrates 31st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Hundreds gather for traditional parade and festivities, providing local businesses a major boost.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:49am

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The 31st annual Old Neighborhood Parade in Buffalo's Old First Ward drew hundreds of residents and visitors on Saturday to celebrate Irish heritage and community pride. The parade featured traditional music, floats, and nods to the area's industrial past. After the parade, the celebration shifted to local businesses, which saw one of their busiest days of the year, with crowds rivaling major sporting events.

Why it matters

The Old Neighborhood Parade is a longstanding tradition that brings the tight-knit South Buffalo community together to celebrate its Irish roots. For local businesses, the event provides a significant economic boost, helping them budget through the year.

The details

The parade began at the Valley Community Center and made its way through nearby streets, with participants and spectators dressed in green. Many attendees said the celebration was about more than just the holiday, capturing the spirit of the community. After the parade, local bars and restaurants saw a surge in customers, with one owner saying the turnout rivaled that of the Super Bowl.

  • The 31st annual Old Neighborhood Parade took place on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Patty

A South Buffalo resident who attended the parade.

Andrew

A South Buffalo resident who attended the parade.

Dingel Dey

An employee at Cooks Bar & Grill, a local business that saw a significant boost in customers during the parade.

Sally Cook

The owner of Cooks Bar & Restaurant, who said the parade turnout rivaled some of the biggest sporting events.

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What they’re saying

“We're having a great day celebrating St. Patty's day.”

— Patty, South Buffalo resident (wgrz.com)

“It's the people the food, the togetherness of it all.”

— Andrew, South Buffalo resident (wgrz.com)

“We love the feeling the energy is great, everyone is awesome.”

— Dingel Dey, Employee at Cooks Bar & Grill (wgrz.com)

“It's way bigger. Super Bowl Sunday we maybe have 25, 30 people. Today we have hundreds.”

— Sally Cook, Owner of Cooks Bar & Restaurant (wgrz.com)

What’s next

The Old Neighborhood Parade is an annual tradition, so the community will likely begin planning and preparing for the 32nd edition in the coming year.

The takeaway

The Old First Ward's St. Patrick's Day parade is more than just a holiday celebration - it's a cherished community event that brings residents together and provides a significant economic boost for local businesses, demonstrating the enduring power of neighborhood pride and tradition.