Montreal’s Saint Patrick’s Day flag raised to commemorate the 193rd parade

MONTREAL – The city is looking forward to its 193rd Saint Patrick’s Day parade on March 20, and kicked off the month-long activities Tuesday by raising the festival’s flag.

“It’s going to be a fabulous day for all the kids,” said Paul Quinn, owner of the Irish Embassy Pub & Grill and Grand Marshal for the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities.

“It’ll be a great parade and we’re all going to have a fabulous time.”

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READ MORE: Queen and court chosen for Montreal’s 193rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade

To kick start the festivities, organizing group the United Irish Societies treated shoppers at Place Ville Marie with the sounds of traditional bagpipes from the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment.

Sgt. Adam Wilson, who has been participating in the flag-raising event for the past six years, said volunteering is an important part of his work.

“It’s good to get out there and get involved with the citizens of Montreal,” he said.

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“It’s good to have a tangible military presence. A little bit of connecting with the community and giving back to the people of Canada. It’s always a good thing.”

The Saint Patrick’s Day parade will follow its traditional route starting on Sainte-Catherine and Fort street.

It will begin at 12 p.m. on March 20.