NYC PRIDE PARADE – JUNE 24, 2018

The Consulate will have an official ‘Ireland’ presence in the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday 24 June for this first time this year.   

While our friends at Lavender and Green have flown the Irish flag for Pride on 5^th Avenue for many years, this year Lavender and Green will lead a much larger Irish community group, and an Ireland float in the Parade. 

The IBO will be marching in the Parade, along with the Consulate and our fellow Irish community groups.

If you would like to participate in the parade, you can do so in two ways:

• 1)      Register at the Lavender and Green Alliance website, at: https://www.lavenderandgreenalliance.org/events/2018-nyc-lgbt-pride-parade

• 2)      Register in-person during wristband pickup, between 11am – 12:45pm on Sunday, at the Irish Repertory Theatre on 22^nd Street between 6^th and 7^th Avenues.

Below are several important notes from the Consulate with regards to the plan of action prior to and during the March on Sunday.

• ·         WRISTBAND PICKUP: All marchers require a wristband. On Sunday morning, representatives from the Irish Consulate and the Lavender and Green Alliance will be at the Irish Repertory Theatre (located at 132 West 22^nd St between 6^th and 7^th Avenues) with wristbands between the hours of 11am to 1pm. We are so grateful to our friends at the Irish Rep for opening their beautiful venue to us for the occasion!

• Between 11 and 1, all Ireland marchers must pick up – or arrange for someone else to pick up – their wristbands to allow them access to the March come check-in time. This is critically important – you will not be allowed entry to Ireland’s assigned staging area if you do not have a wristband!

• All last-minute registrations are welcome, so feel free to bring along any family or friends who have yet to register with us.

• Complimentary Irish Pride merchandise such as t-shirts, badges, flags, and beads will also be available for pick-up during this time.

• Anyone who is interested in riding on our Ireland float is more than welcome to nominate themselves during wristband pickup! We have approximately 30 spaces to fill, and their availability will operate on first come, first served basis. Don’t be shy in asking about this if it’s something you’d like to do!

• The Irish Repertory Theatre staff have kindly offered us the use of their bathrooms up until our 1pm check-in time. Portable restrooms will also be available along the March route.

• ·         CHECK-IN: Once wristbands have been picked up, all Ireland marchers must report to Ireland’s staging area (located at 16^th Street and 7^th Avenue; you’ll see the signs!) at 1pm sharp. Members of the Lavender and Green Alliance and Consulate team will be present to provide guidance.

• Please note that after 10:30am, 7^th Avenue will be blocked off and crossing it will not be possible. To access the staging area, please approach from the 8^th Avenue side! Streets will be busy, so please ensure you give yourself plenty of time to make it to the staging area for 1pm!

• ·         BEFORE STEP-OFF: Before we begin our march, there will be a wait time period of about 90 minutes spent in the staging area, during which great fun will be had during an exclusive live-stream to be run by our wonderful friends at IrishCentral.com, and plenty of photography sessions!

• We will be providing bottled water for anyone in the marching group who needs it. Please also bring your own to stay well-hydrated during the day. Be sure to also bring sunscreen, eat a nice big breakfast, and dress comfortably, taking walking and weather into consideration! 

• ·         MARCH DURATION: The march is expected to last about two hours, from our step-off at 16^th Street and 7^th Avenue to our finishing point at 29^th Street and 5^th Avenue. This is an approximate estimation – it all depends how things move on the day!

• Our marching formation will be as follows:

• -          We will be led by an Irish flag carried by members of the Lavender and Green Alliance. This particular flag was stitched by the designer of the original Pride flag, Gilbert Baker.

• -          Followed by the Lavender and Green Alliance banner.

• -          Followed by marchers from Lavender and Green.

• -          Followed by the “Amach Le Cheile” banner.

• -          Followed by more marchers.

• -          Bringing up the rear will be our amazing float, decked out in a beautiful Irish tricolor skirt and carrying Fiona Walsh, our wonderful DJ for the day, as well as approximately 30 riders (as covered above).

• For those with a competitive streak, note that various prizes are awarded to marching groups. We have no doubt that the honor of being named “Best Contingent” could be ours, so get ready to bring all the enthusiasm you can muster!

• ·         AFTER PARTY: Yes, there is one! The lovely staff at the Taproom No.307 (located near the end of the March route, at 307 3rd Avenue, on 23^rd Street) have welcomed the Irish marching contingent to convene at their bar after the March concludes – giving us a perfect opportunity to raise a toast to what’s sure to have been a march to remember.