Wearin' of the Green in Greenwich

Yes it was nearly a week after the official St. Patrick’s Day celebration. But that didn’t make any difference in Greenwich Sunday afternoon as town residents showed their green pride brightly at the 41st annual Greenwich Hibernians’ St. Patrick’s Parade.

Hundreds of marchers — from Irish step dancing troupes and bag pipe bands to the Shriners mini-cars — pleased thousands of residents who lined the parade route that began at Greenwich Town Hall and continued along West Putnam Avenue to Greenwich Avenue.

It was at Town Hall that Greenwich Police Lt. Brian Briggs blew the ceremonial whistle to start the parade. Briggs, a 1979 Greenwich HIgh School graduate, used his grandfather’s whistle for the ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

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For more parade photos: More Wearin’ of the Green in Greenwich

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“I feel very honored and excited to participate in such a big event,” Briggs said before sounding the whistle. Using the whistle that belonged to his grandfather, Greenwich Police Officer Mickey Briggs, “This has been a big event for my family for years. It’s nice to take part of it this way.”

The parade included several marching bands including the Port Chester High School marching band, the Westchester Firefighters, and the Fairfield Gaelic Band. There was plenty of tailgating parties as well that included prepared foods, and the requisite cans of Guinness beer and shot glasses that were being filled with Bailey’s Irish Creme.

And somehow, motorists driving cars with New York and New Jersey license plates got into the queue prompting some criticism from parade viewers.

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