The kickoff to nearly a week long of Saint Patrick's Day festivities began at the South Buffalo Irish Center during Friday afternoon, with the 38th Annual Irish Luncheon. "Just a celebration of the Irish, you don't have to be Irish to participate, people enjoy... it's a great day," Congressman Brian Higgins said.
The luncheon starts all the holiday events that will continue right into the weekend, with a parade in the Old First Ward on Saturday and then the downtown Buffalo parade on Sunday. "We have 150 groups marching this year so it's gonna be a huge parade," Thomas Patrick Young, the downtown Buffalo parade Grand Marshall, said.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says he'll be marching in the parade on Sunday, rain or shine. "I don't think any city in the country does it like Buffalo does it," Mayor Brown said. "We really celebrate, the entire community comes together and we have a great time celebrating Saint Patrick's Day."
Irish Center members say holiday festivities start with the Irish Luncheon but continue right into next Wednesday, March 17th, which is officially Saint Patrick's Day. "It's really the kickoff to the... holiday which this year will last all weekend plus Wednesday," Mary Heneghan, the Irish Center chairperson, said.
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