St. Patrick Parade Returns March 14 Featuring FDNY Pipes + Drum Band
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (January 26, 2026) – St. Augustine’s St. Patrick Parade may have been around for 426 years, but organizers are keeping it fresh with an exciting addition to the 2026 Parade. The beloved local event is proud to announce two special guests. The New York City Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums (FDNY Pipes & Drums) and the Parkview Lassies from Springfield, Missouri, will be joining this year’s parade. St. Augustine’s St. Patrick Parade begins March 14, 2026, at 10 a.m., and starts at Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive in St. Augustine, Florida. The parade route travels through the historic downtown area, returning to the award-winning Celtic Music & Heritage Festival at Francis Field.
“We’re so excited to welcome two amazing organizations to join the Parade this year,” says Chris Fulmer, St. Patrick Parade Co-Director. “FDNY Gone South, a local organization of New York City Fire Department retirees, is generously hosting the FDNY Pipes & Drums. The Parkview Lassies are an amazing all-female drum and bugle corps that has represented Parkview High School in Missouri for 70 years. And this is in addition to our spectacular local organizations. We’re honored to feature such extraordinary talent!”
The timing of the FDNY Pipes & Drums appearance is extremely significant, as 2026 marks 25 years since the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. Since then, the members have made it their mission to play every funeral and memorial service for first responders who lost their lives in the attacks. FDNY Gone South is hosting a t-shirt fundraiser to help cover the band's travel costs; shirts are available at fdnygonesouth.com.
The Grand Marshal for the 2026 St. Patrick Parade is Gordon J. Wilson. Gordon retired as Superintendent of the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments in 2025, having served with the U.S. National Park Service for nearly 50 years. The St. Patrick Parade reviewing stand will be hosted by Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, located at 23 Orange Street in St. Augustine. St. Augustine’s own Jessica Clark will return as Parade Announcer. Clark is an Emmy Award-winning news anchor and reporter for First Coast News.
The Parade features local professional bands, including the City of St. Augustine Pipes & Drums Band and Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums. Also marching are the 501st Legion, 7th Squad, floats, dancers, horses, carriages, tour trains, trolleys, and more. For more information or to register a parade group, visit www.celticstaugustine.com/parade. The St. Patrick Parade is sponsored by Ann O’Malley’s Deli & Pub, Barley Republic Pub, Mindful Solutions, the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, and the St. Johns County Cultural Council. It is produced by Romanza-St. Augustine.
