Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Out of Luck?

The Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is in search of more green—not shamrocks or leprechauns, but dollars: sustainable, predictable cash that can fund the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Southeast.

Since 1983, families and visitors of all heritages have flocked downtown to celebrate all things Irish, but after some recent changes in city policy, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is running out of gold at the end of its rainbow.

In 2012, the city council started charging downtown event organizers, including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, for the additional police and security forces.

Frank Mellage, former chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is uncertain why the city started charging parade organizers when for so long there was an agreement in place.

“Not only could we provide the parade and bring business to downtown, but there was money leftover that we donated to charities like Helping Hand and Wounded Warrior Project,” Mellage said.

John Boyette, senior public affairs specialist for the city, said, “It was a change for everyone. The parade was not singled out.”

Despite the reason, parade organizers have tried to come up with creative ways to ensure the road rises to meet the lovers of all things Celtic.

Mathew Burke, treasurer of the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, the 501c3 that organizes the event, said outside help will ensure the parade takes place as scheduled, Saturday, March 12.

“Shanahan law group and other sponsors have really stepped up their commitment to make sure the parade will go on,” Burke says.

But according to Mellage, “It’s going to need a major media sponsor, or the city will need to reverse its decision for the parade to have a definite future long term,” he said.

Burke said he’s confident people will work together to make sure the parade doesn’t disappear.

“It isn’t about green beer,” says Burke. “It’s about community and families and celebrating St. Patrick and what he did for an entire country and culture. I know I will fight hard to make sure my daughter has the experience of coming out and celebrating.”