For the Record: First St. Patrick's Parade in Vancouver Held in 1972
Dear Editor:
With reference to an article in the March issue of The Celtic Connection by Sharon Keough regarding the St. Patrick's Parade in Vancouver – this was not the first parade. Please be advised that Tom Byrne and Terry Turner (deceased) both worked extremely hard in organizing the first and four following very successful parades (with a little help from myself and others starting in 1972 and ending in 1975.
The parades finished then only because Tom Byrne left Vancouver and went North (almost to the Arctic) and nobody else was prepared to work as hard as Tom to keep them going.
All the parades had approximately 50 beautifully decorated floats with the Vancouver Police Pipe Band leading and other bands throughout the parade. In the 1975 parade the Eniskillen Pipe Band marched and were very pleased to be asked to participate.
Tom invited several VIPs and had representatives from various governments. Tom Constable – then Mayor of Burnaby attended, also Alex MacDonald – then Attorney General – representing Premier Dave Barrett. Also in attendance was Art Lee – then Liberal MP representing Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. On two occasions representatives from the Irish Embassy attended.
The parades started in Alberni Street and continued down Burrard Street to Cordova Street and on to Gastown where a stage was set up for the day’s entertainment.
I hope this sets the record straight regarding the start of St. Patrick’s Day parades in the City of Vancouver.
Sincerely,
Frank Horan
Kelowna, B.C.
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