Well today may be St . Patricks Day but that didn’t stop anyone in New Orleans from having a parade (or 5) this past weekend. Mollys At the Market had their traditional carriage parade on Friday night and a good time was had by one and all, including some old friends we saw in the crowd.
This parade was started years ago by pub owner Jim Monaghan and his son, the current owner and also named Jim, continues the tradition. Mollys is also a stop on the Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Parade Rehearsal route. (don’t ask)
After the parade the party continues in the street in front of Mollys and goes on well into the night.
The Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Club held it ‘s parade on Saturday. The crowd their tends to be young and , uh, enthusiastic. The big throw in this parade is a cabbage … which often leads to a problem or two.
Saturday night also saw the traditional St. Joseph Days Parade through the French Quarter hosted by The Italian American Marching Club. Sunday held several more parades in the suburbs although rainy weather forced the traditional Super Sunday meeting of the Mardi Gras Indians until Sunday the 22nd.
And tonight is the Downtown Irish Club marching parade which is always held on St. Patricks Day. This group begins in the Bywater section of NEw Orleans and proceeds through the French Quarter, throwing beads and trading carnations for kisses.
I mean seriously ….. would YOU kiss these guys?