The City of Yonkers will once again celebrate Irish heritage and community pride as
the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to McLean Avenue on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at
1:00 p.m. One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations in New York State, the
annual event draws thousands of spectators and features more than 60–70 marching groups,
including numerous acclaimed marching bands.
Organized by the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade on McLean Avenue Committee, the parade is
led by local community leaders and business people dedicated to promoting and celebrating Irish
culture in Yonkers. The event continues a tradition of more than 70 years of Irish pride and
celebration in the city.
The day’s festivities will begin with a Celebratory Mass at 11:15 a.m. at St. Barnabas Church (The
High School Parish) on McLean Avenue.
Parade Route
The parade will begin at Woodlawn Avenue and McLean Avenue and proceed along McLean
Avenue, concluding at McLean Avenue and McCollum Place near Coyne Park. Spectators can
enjoy excellent viewing along the entire route. A stage for dignitaries and announcers will be located
at McLean Avenue and Harding Avenue.
Grand Marshal
The 2026 Grand Marshal is William Fitzpatrick, Commissioner of the Yonkers Fire Department. A
lifelong Yonkers resident, Fitzpatrick traces his Irish roots to Counties Waterford and Monaghan.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick joined the Yonkers Fire Department in 1979, beginning his career at
Station 3 on Vark Street. Over a distinguished 32-year career, he rose through the ranks serving as
Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and ultimately Deputy Chief of Operations, retiring in 2011.
He played a role in the rescue efforts at The World Trade Center following the September 11
attacks and has received numerous departmental honors, including Class 1 and Class 3 awards
and multiple unit citations.
In January 2024, Fitzpatrick was appointed the 15th Commissioner of the Yonkers Fire
Department, continuing a family legacy of service in the department alongside his father and three
brothers.
He has been active in the community through organizations such as the North Yonkers Boys and
Girls Club, and spent ten years coaching girls’ softball. Fitzpatrick and his wife Debi, married nearly 42 years, live in Yonkers and are proud parents of three children and grandparents to five
grandchildren.
The following individuals will serve as Aides to the Grand Marshal for the 2026 parade:
Danny Browne
Sean M. Drain
Caitlin Geraghty Liberatori
Kate Kiernan-Goodwin
Sheila M. Halligan
Geoffrey Keating
Jennifer Murphy Oelkers
Frank O’Keefe
Parking and Transportation
Free parking will be available at MGM Empire City Casino, with spectators asked to use the
Yonkers Avenue entrance. Complimentary shuttles will run from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
transporting visitors to and from the parade route. Shuttles will stop at Hillview Avenue and
Kimball Avenue, two blocks from McLean Avenue.
Additional street parking is available along Bronx Boulevard and Bullard Avenue on the east side
of the Bronx River Parkway. Residents and visitors are asked to avoid parking on local side streets
and to respect neighborhood driveways. Illegally parked vehicles may be towed at the owner’s
expense.
Street Closures
McLean Avenue will be closed along the parade route from 11:00 a.m. until approximately 5:00
p.m. McLean Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to Bronx River Road will close around 11:00 a.m.,
with the remaining parade route closing at approximately 12:30 p.m. Streets used for staging will
reopen once marching groups have passed and it is safe to do so.
Additional Information
- Bee-Line Bus Route 25 will be rerouted during the parade.
- Fourteen portable restrooms will be available along the parade route.
Participate or Learn More
Groups interested in marching in the parade can still apply online at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu1Xm84j3DDD1io_59znupCSc3MfD46zBOcoQGOnk
T-d3PqQ/viewform
For additional details, visit yonkersstpatricksparade.org or follow the parade on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McLeanAveParade
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yonkersstpatricksdayparade/
For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be livestreamed on Facebook via the Parade
Facebook Page and on YouTube via New Logical Sports at the following link.
https://youtube.com/live/bVGY_u18DYc
About the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade on McLean Avenue is one of New York State’s premier Irish
cultural celebrations. Organized by a committee of community leaders and local businesspeople,
the parade honors the rich Irish heritage of Yonkers while bringing together residents, families, and
visitors for a day of celebration and community spirit.
