South Boston residents, tourists, and businesses celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend
BOSTON -- South Boston is celebrating at the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The parade started at the Broadway T line stop and runs down West Broadway, eventually ending at Andrew Square.
Boston's luckiest tradition drew local crowds and guests, with some even visiting from as far away as Scotland.
"It's a big event. I want to see how a former colony celebrates Ireland," one visitor from Scotland said.
Bostonians are happy to be on West Broadway, celebrating each other.
"I think there's something about everyone getting together and be able to kind of, as a city, get behind the same occasion," said Boston resident Lucas Watt.
"I'm going to be inside here and the door is locked, and there will be no using the bathroom," says Paul, a Southie native since the 1960s. who is protecting his laundromat along the parade route. "They can get up here and break the window. Like this one behind me is broken, so you have to be careful with this."
Meanwhile, businesses new to the neighborhood began hunkering down Saturday too.
"We're so excited for people to be able enjoy the parade. We're just not going to let people inside the shop," said Colleen Dunleavy, owner of South Boston shop Love Child.
Some businesses are hoping to benefit from a busy Boston weekend.
For instance, the owners of New England Outfitters traveled from Worcester.
"We're running out. Tomorrow is going to be mayhem. So get 'em while their hot," says New England Outfitters owner Brett Pettis.
It's clear Boston is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day weekend.
According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2021, 9.6 percent of residents claim Irish ancestry. But in Massachusetts, that number is 19.8%.
So it's a guarantee Southie sidewalks will be packed outside and bars will overflow on the inside.
