Where did the first US parade take place?

When and where did the first St. Patrick's Day parade take place in the U.S.?

• Answer:

  This question asks about the first parade, not the first observance or celebration of St. Patrick's Day. So, various sources agree that the first parade took place in New York City in 1762. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Patricks_Day The first civic and public celebrations of St. Patrick's Day in the American Colonies took place in Boston in 1737. The first St. Patrick's Day celebrated in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756. Since then the New York celebration has become the largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world. The parade itself dates back to 1762, and in 2003 more than 150,000 marchers participated, including bands, military and police groups, county associations, emigrant societies, social and cultural clubs. The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan. From http://rl.channel.aol.com/natgeo?id=20050315102009990001 Colonial New York City hosted the first official St. Patrick's Day parade in 1762, when Irish immigrants in the British colonial army marched down city streets. In subsequent years Irish fraternal organizations also held processions to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The various groups merged sometime around 1850 to form a single, grand parade. From The World Book Encyclopedia In the United States, St. Patrick's Day is primarily a secular (nonreligious) holiday. Many people wear green clothing, and they hold parties and march in parades. The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. Today, more than 100 cities hold parades. The St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City is the largest.