KINGSTON – There was fresh snow and lots of sun, under below freezing temperatures, but after pandemic cancellations in 2020 and 2021, Kingston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade returned Sunday to get a tradition started again.
“Usually on this day, the parade is either really, really cold or rainy,” said Chuck Phillips, second assistant chief of the East Kingston Fire Department.
Phillips said the returning tradition is bringing some happiness back after two consecutive years of cancellations.
“Words can’t express it, the happiness the joy, you know.” he said. “It’s bringing something a little bit back.”
Nearby Fred Ganzer, president of the Ulster County Shrine Club, was getting ready to march with fire and law enforcement departments, civic and community groups like his, and others such as a contingent of Ulster County government officials.
“We march so people recognize us. We are marching for the Shriners Hospitals for Children,” he said. “It’s great to be back.”
Marchers gathered at the Kingston Plaza to start the parade, which headed down Broadway through the city past a crowd that returned to see so much green.
