A whistle blown by the parade mayor kicks off the St. Patrick’s Day Parade each year. This year, the special honor will go to Tim Quinn. Quinn is one of the owners of Quinn’s Irish Pub on West Boylston Street in Worcester. Quinn was born in Worcester and grew up in the Greendale neighborhood, where he still lives today.

Quinn said he was honored to be this year’s mayor and looks forward to sharing this experience with his family, friends and patrons. The one person who won’t be at the celebration is his brother Ryan, who died a few years ago. Quinn said his brother, who “was a bit of a smart aleck,” would probably tell him “not to trip and fall on Park Ave.” After the parade, Quinn will head to his own Quinn’s for corned beef and cabbage and to catch the McInerney Irish Step Dancers.

Following him in the parade procession will be retired teacher Mary Ann Dube, who has the “privilege of being the Grand Marshal after being a member of the parade committee for over 30 years.” In this 35th year of the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade, Dube said it is an “incredible honor” to be in the same company as the past marshals who have done so much for Worcester and the Irish community. She, too, was born and raised in Worcester and taught in the Worcester and Millbury public schools for more than 35 years. She is currently on the staff of Anna Maria College, where she shares her passion for education with student teachers.

Proudly carrying the banner of the Grand Marshal will be Dube’s four grandsons – Jamieson, Brendan, Jon and Liam – who will be part of Dube’s large group of family and friends at the parade. They will join spectators from the city and the region in enjoying the celebration of Irish culture, history and the role of the Irish in America.

Dube said her favorite part of the parade is “watching the thousands of people along the side of the street” and sharing in their excitement and anticipation of the things to come. She enjoys the bands, which make the whole event so very festive, along with all the creativity and effort that goes into the decorating of the floats. She is also very proud of all the groups that will be walking the entire parade route.

After the parade, she will be heading to the Irish Club to listen to some music and perhaps dance a jig or two. St. Patrick’s Day has always been a day of celebration and enjoyment, no matter what your nationality.

“Everyone goes by the saying that everyone is Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day, Quinn said.

The parade traditionally consists of bands, floats, marchers and dignitaries, including politicians and representatives of city and state organizations. For more than 30 years, vice president of operations and past marshal, Leo Quinn, has been responsible “for hiring the bands, sending the invites and deciding who will return to participate in the following years.” Planning for the parade begins with meetings in August and then continues over the course of the year with a golf tournament, an Irish breakfast, the Grand Marshal Banquet and a political roast.

The committee is always looking for new members, sponsors and donations to help put on the best event possible. Parade Chairman Mary Ellen Murphy said that everyone lends a hand to make this labor of love possible, because she and everyone who attends the parade recognize the honor and duty placed on them.

St. Patrick’s Day Events

Guinness Celtic 5K Road Race
11 a.m. Sunday, March 12
Elm Park, Worcester
Register online until March 11 for $30.
tourdeworcester.com

Irish Festival
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, March 4
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral
102 Russell St., Worcester
aohworcester.com/festival

St. Patrick’s Parade
Downtown Worcester
12 p.m. Sunday, March 12
Free
stpatsparade.com

By Audra Brackett