The St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast, where elected officials, military leaders and faith figureheads recognize local performers and trade light-hearted jabs, is set for Sunday, March 15 at 9 a.m…
Before South Boston’s streets are crowded with intricately decorated floats and equally adorned spectators celebrating the annual St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day parade, is another commemorated tradition — the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast, where elected officials, military leaders and faith figureheads recognize local performers and trade light-hearted jabs.
State Sen. Nick Collins of South Boston will host the breakfast, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 15, at the Ironworkers Union Hall in South Boston.
The sitting senator who represents South Boston traditionally organizes and hosts the event.
The breakfast will be televised on NECN, NESN and BNN. It will also be on radio: WROL 950 AM and 100.3 FM.
Aligning with the 250th anniversary of the United States, this year’s breakfast guests include Helen McEntee, the Irish minister of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Boston Archbishop Richard Henning of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, and leaders of the Irish Defence Forces, the Massachusetts National Guard, the USS Barnum and the USS Massachusetts.
“For the 250th, we’re pulling out all the stops, and I’m honored to host this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast as we mark an important milestone for our community, our commonwealth, and our country,” Collins said in a statement.
There will be performances from the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, the Woods School of Irish Dance from South Boston, Curragh’s Fancy, the Tryder Sisters and The Irish Tenors, according to a Collins spokesperson.
The parade, a separate event, is set to begin at 11:30 a.m., an hour-and-a-half earlier than previous years, which, according to Collins, is to help ensure a family-friendly environment and curb rowdy behavior such as overcrowding, underage drinking and public urination.
Collins and South Boston officials, including Boston City Councillor Ed Flynn, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch and state Rep. David Biele, in a letter to the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and the Associated Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts, have requested that local universities and school districts remind students of safety protocols and expected behavior.
“We want to remind visitors to South Boston that there will be zero tolerance for the out-of-control behavior that residents have endured in past years,” the letter reads. “Please show courtesy and respect for residents, veterans and military families, our dedicated first responders, and our nation’s history. Follow the golden rule—if you would not do it back home, do not do it here.”
The letter details public safety measures outlined by a parade Task Force, such as an earlier start time, law enforcement stationing in high-risk areas, enforcement of roof-deck capacity limits and a crackdown on underage alcohol purchases.
“Our local businesses play a big role in what makes this event special,” Collins said in a statement about the breakfast. “Their continued partnership reflects the strong sense of community that defines South Boston and helps make the breakfast such a success each year.”