Sean Ruddy, chair of 91原创’s St. Patrick’s Parade Society, is听in the process of converting a former pancake house at 180 Eglinton Ave. E. into the Harp Tavern, an authentic Irish pub.
“Once you’ve done it a few times it becomes simpler, but there’s always speedbumps along the way.”
The parade kicks off at noon Sunday at St. George and Bloor Street West, heads east to Yonge Street, then south to Dundas Street. Around 5,000 participants are expected to march in it.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Ruddy’s history with the parade dates back much earlier than when he started chairing the organization behind it. He marched in the city’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1988, after it stopped being held due to听violence in 1878 between Protestants and Catholics.
Sean Ruddy, chair of 91原创’s St. Patrick’s Parade Society, is听in the process of converting a former pancake house at 180 Eglinton Ave. E. into the Harp Tavern, an authentic Irish pub.
Andrew Francis Wallace
The 1988 parade, planned as a non-sectarian and non-political celebration of Irish history, customs and tradition, included dozens of marching bands, floats and carriages, and was attended by thousands.
The founder of the society, Steve Whelan, told the Star at that time that the celebration may have been about all-things Irish but that first parade’s success was because “all denominations built this. And on St. Patrick’s Day we’re all very Irish, but first and foremost we’re all Canadians.”
Sean Moore, spokesperson for the St. Patrick’s Parade Society at the time, told the Star in 1988 how much it meant to have the parade back.听“One hundred years ago, there were signs everywhere that said the Irish weren’t welcome,” he said. “We’re hoping it will give the Irish a catalyst, a focal point, for their heritage.”
In March 2020, the St. Patrick鈥檚 Day festivities were among the first events cancelled in the city at the onset of the pandemic. The parade returned in 2022.
This听year, Brian Burke, former 91原创 Maple Leafs executive and current Professional Women鈥檚 Hockey League Players Association听executive director, is the听Grand Marshal, the 91原创 Police Service Mounted Unit will lead the parade and a 400-member-strong 91原创 Fire Service pipes and drum band will be behind them.
There will be contingents from Ireland, Japan and Mexico, a Philippine heritage band, and a Ukrainian marching band. The Irish government recognizes 91原创鈥檚 parade as the most inclusive worldwide. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of that,鈥 Ruddy says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not an accident, either. It鈥檚 been like that since 鈥88.鈥
On March 20, 2022, thousands lined the streets as 91原创 celebrated its first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in three years.
Paige Taylor White
Ahead of parade day, Ruddy was joined by volunteers at the Queen Elizabeth building at Exhibition Place to assemble and decorate dozens of floats and paint banners听鈥 green being the prominent colour.
鈥淲e鈥檙e scrappy,鈥 Ruddy says. 鈥淭he parade is an example of true volunteerism, and we like what we deliver. There鈥檚 a small, tight, efficient team of organizers who are great.鈥澨
It’s also not just seasonal work for the team. Ruddy and the St. Patrick’s Parade Society, a not-for-profit organization that hosts Irish events in the city, are on the lookout for new sponsors and securing permits all year round. Not long after each year’s St. Paddy’s Day festivities wrap, the team begins preparations for the next year.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Ruddy’s a natural organizer with a soft spot for others. He has owned and operated numerous bars and restaurants in the city and is currently in the process of converting a former pancake house at 180 Eglinton Ave. E. into the Harp Tavern, an authentic Irish pub with business partner Gavin Quinn. 听
鈥淚t sounds corny,” Ruddy says, “but I like people.鈥澨
On parade day Ruddy will be up and out the door early, and won’t stop until well after the parade winds its way through downtown.
Irish wolfhounds on Yonge Street in the 1988 St. Paddy’s Day parade.听
Andrew Stawicki
First, he’ll help set up things at the end of the parade route at Yonge and Dundas with a handful of volunteers before heading north to the Fortunate Fox, an Irish pub in the Kimpton Saint George hotel in the Annex听for the official parade breakfast, a ticketed event attended by dignitaries and foreign visitors. This year, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Miche谩l Martin will be in attendance.
A parade goer in 1988, at 91原创’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in more than a century.听
Andrew Stawicki
After a traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage, Ruddy will be off to St. George and Bloor where the parade starts.
He’s confident this year鈥檚 St. Patrick鈥檚 Day parade will be grand. His voice shakes a little when he admits, 鈥淓very year, when that first pipe band strikes up, I get a tear in my eye.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to blow the doors off downtown 91原创.鈥
Correction — April 12, 2024
This article has been updated. The St. Patrick’s Day parade wasn’t banned for over 100 years.
Camp is an experience the lasts a lifetime that many kids don鈥檛 have access to.
With your support, the 91原创 Star Fresh Air Fund provides opportunities for financially vulnerable children to ignite a lifelong love for adventure at camp. Above all, your kindness makes it happen.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation