OK, so I cheated...I'm using a link to the slideshow at Cleveland.com, which has some decent shots of the parade and some of the 300,000 people who came to see it:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/eventsguide_galleries/

 

But, as often happens with Cleveland.com/PD's galleries, the photographer doesn't move around much to get more shots from more than just one area. In this case, all were taken from lower Euclid.

 

KJP

I was there, great turn out.  Biggest level of participation I heard with around 14K.

I particulary loved the "weed man" float, quite alot of cheers for that one upon passing.

I was reading www.usatoday.com on line and noticed they had listings for cities with "great" st. patrick's day parades. They made no mention of clevelands - www.clevelandsirishparade.org .  Cleveland's happens to be one of the longest running in the states.

 

Although, I'm not Irish I understand this is one of, if not the largest parade in Cleveland.

 

Making comments this year, might have an impact on usatoday, as they might realize they left off a great parade/festival.  This may seem trivial, but positive press about things like this goes a long way.  An email to the CVB might also be in order.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2007-03-15-place-to-celebrate-irish-cheer_N.htm?imw=Y

Phoenix baby!

  It is ONE of the biggest, but certainly not THE biggest.  It is also one of the longest running as well.  It is one of the few in the country that is ALWAYS on St Pat's day, no matter what day of the week.  This year there are 15,000 participants signed up to march.  Many cities claim to be one of the biggest or oldest...but I am curious to know how they figure that?  Biggest....does that equal how many people are IN it or watch it?  Pittsburgh claims to be one of the biggest as well...but according to one of my friends that is in the pipe band, it doesn't compare to Cleveland.  Not sure how Columbus or Cincy parades are either, have never been to either for their parades. 

  As far as last year went, it was a huge turn out (actually estimated at 375,000)...this year might not be as good due to the weather.  I think Cleveland would have to be right up there as one of the biggest..but NYC, Chicago, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, and Savannah come to mind as well.  Whether you like the day or not...you like the crowd or not...it is a great tradition and gives the downtown a vibrant feel.  Enjoy, have fun, use public transportation (or cabs), and wave to me in the parade!!!  :)

I used to make SO MUCH FREAKING MONEY on St. Pats day as a cab driver. Those were the days.

 

i see the clevelanders are all over that usatoday puff piece in outrage on the replies on their website. show yo right baby! otoh, who the hell pays any serious attention to usatoday? i almost forgot that paper was still around.

 

we have friends and family who get hotel rooms for the cle parade every year and really whoop it up. im sure they are there today.

 

my own nyc st pats day started off very sadly this morning. right across the street from our place was the funeral for one of the auxillary cops killed by that rampaging lunatic in the village the other day. i watched it while i was doing laundry. all of west 14th st was closed off, hundreds of cops everywhere. police from all over the world are here for the parade, so many of them came, along w/ bomb squad, canine, nypd helicopter flyover, media, etc. --- commissioner kelly and mayor bloomberg were right in from of me. quite a solemn spectacle.

 

ps -- for comparison perspective, i just heard on tv that there are over 250k marchers in the nyc parade - not spectators, just the marchers. yipes.

 

since living in Cleveland for 5 St Pats now: I started the first with working and clueless ( -why are people peeing everywhere?? ) to the significance , then 2 st pats out of town, and last years barf fest... I was a little hesitant to participate this year (last minute obligation out of town, unexpectedly dissapeared this morning)..but did. Anyway, skipped the parade and went again to the Flat Iron b/c it was walking/stumbling distance. We had a blast. I am not really sure what green,  barf- filled portal we fell into last year (I swear it was nightmarish) that turned me off so much , but this year was better. yes, everyone was still trashed, but nothing gross, and all so awesome with a back drop of bag pipe players. so two thumbs up to St. Pats in Cleveland!!

OMG just got back from downtown...crazy- the bars were so packed moving was pretty much not an option (now I remember why I shouldn't go downtown during St. Pads). The trains were just, if not moreso, as packed as the bars......next year I'm staying in.

^ you had the feeling that I had last year. We found a little uncrowded corner in the Flat Iron and felt like we were at some Irish cultural fest (song, dance,ect). it is a good time if you can find your niche where ever it is.

ya- should have hit up the Beer Engine...thats more my style...ahhh a nice English bitter on cask....ahhh.

Upon reading your post and accounts I must ask....have you ever ridden a red line train during St. Pads, I am still amazed at the crowdiness and drunekn idiots on board... of course myself excluded from the latter......

no I have not taken the train...but I can only imagine! Last year we went downtown (by foot).I nearly got thrown off this very board for being judgmental toward green vomit spewing, budlight pin -blinking, horn-blowing,child neglecting  trolls...Anyway I am not a crowd person. never have been. but this year I nothing to lose with exploring again. It is was hard not to have fun in a cozy corner after 4 guinness and the fireman bagpipers playing. So I am glad I gave it another chance. Still I cannot wait to get to the beer engine, but there was no driving in my forcast today for sure.

can relate, crowds suck. and those f#$%ing horns- GAWD . exploring is fun though, for as familiar as I am with downtown it takes on a different face when theres a green theme, and its amusing as it is fun. Driving is out of my forecast as well, but my Vespa is sitting in the garage waiting for a kickstart....dumb idea but I godda! Just down the street for a low key houseparty.

can relate, crowds suck. and those f#$%ing horns- GAWD . exploring is fun though, for as familiar as I am with downtown it takes on a different face when theres a green theme, and its amusing as it is fun. Driving is out of my forecast as well, but my Vespa is sitting in the garage waiting for a kickstart....dumb idea but I godda! Just down the street for a low key houseparty.

ahhhhh another scooter affectionado on OU? And you have not been riding this week? for shame!   Btw there was supposed to be a scooter brigade in the parade today, but the snow/wind was too much.

wow- another scooterist on the boards...and yes I have been out this week, beautiful weather in the beginning of the week at least. I did kick up the ol 65 vespa to go down the block...but could not make it back on two wheels as I know my limitations when it comes to drinking. Scooter event April 21......

2007  From the PD

 

VIDEO

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/pdvideo/flash/index.ssf?StPatParade_Lg

 

PICTURES

 

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/cleve/view_gallery.ata?g_id=5926

 

 

dang, and I'm as far from irish as you can get...

^nice links, looks like it was a great parade. the pics were ok, but the video was really very well done.

 

one ny pub we went by had paid midgets (little people?) out front dressed a leprechauns. very un-pc!

wow- another scooterist on the boards...and yes I have been out this week, beautiful weather in the beginning of the week at least. I did kick up the ol 65 vespa to go down the block...but could not make it back on two wheels as I know my limitations when it comes to drinking. Scooter event April 21......

is that the one at the 5 oclock? I am very with you with the scootering and drinks. VERY strict limitations, so I am not so in to the bar thing when riding. Now...I am wondering if there needs to be an urban neighborhood ride put together. One of the POC rides ended at Algebra Tea house last summer. I did not make it that far but that is a great scooter hang out. Paulius from VTR now has one (and looked quite awesome on it, I must say) and suggested root beers at the tango room-good time for sure! We went this week on the scooters...but didn't have rootbeer  :wink:

 

I am surprised more UO'ers do not ride. 100 miles per gallon baby! No need for surface lot!

 

Love the old Vespas...but I sure could not afford to keep the beauty running

I'd get one if they had child seat options. :)

^ that is what side cars are for!  :lol:  and if I recall correctly your young lad has an eye for 2 wheelers

further off topic, I wanted to buy a vespa, to use in summer in NYC, but those puppy's are expensive.  I went to the store on W. 25 street and those Vespas are priced in the $4-6k

^ If you can let go of the brand name thing, the Kymco People (150cc) and Genuine Buddy (125cc) can be had for a lot less, have double the warranty , much cheaper parts and maintenance costs, and are as, if not more reliable. While my heart would love a vintage Vespa (as there is nothing more sweet) I can't fix things so I have a modern scoot-the Buddy. I don't have to tell you NYC is a scooter city, they are everywhere, often parked on sidewalks-not sure if that is legal, but saw it everywhere.  The subway is so depressing in the summer, so hot and damp, it depresses me to leave the balmy night air to go down into the caves...with the scooter you are free. (I really think I should sell these things, no?). The Pride of Cleveland Scooter shop is a block from the the OC red line stop (s on w.25) if you ever want to check it out. 

 

edit:oops I see you have already been to POC

I have the Kymco 250 and I love it!  It took a little getting used to though because I had a Harley prior.....

thanks Ms. Peabody & JDD.  I will look at other brands, its just as the vespas have such a cool "look" and you have fab accesories.

 

JDD, I'm glad you have one cause I felt so dorky (that is more than I normally do) on it and we're the same height so i'll check again and go for a ride, since I have my eye on this amazing super cool 50s inspired space age-ish helmet.

Kymcos are great quality and fit taller folks well. If you are serious keep posting. I did a some research before making my decision and have a pretty good of what brands have high customer satisfaction. No matter what brand, dont get a 50cc, you'll outgrow it in no time. Anything 125/150-250 would be great in NYC. Mine goes 65mph so it can keep up nicely!