New route for the 20th annual St. Patrick's Day parade

On March 23 at 1 p.m., this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Châteauguay will follow a “more traditional” route than it did last year.

Translation Amanda Bennett

It will set off from the corner of McLeod and Bell streets. The floats will take Maple Boulevard to close the procession at Mercier Street.

“We are delighted to return to a traditional parade and look forward to seeing everyone along the streets. Even if the route is shorter, people should expect an incredible parade,” said Tiffany Dickie, Public Relations Manager for the Irish Heritage Association of Châteauguay and the Valley, adding that she wanted to pay tribute to the volunteers who established the parade in the mid-2000s.

This was taken at the first parade, in 2005... Queen Devon Warnock and Princesses Ashley Neumann and Erin Keenan. (Photo: Le Soleil - archives)

With this 20th parade, the Association wants to revive the roots theme of the annual gathering. The theme of the parade will be “From our roots, we grow”. In addition to the floats, dancers, marching bands and community organizations, the Châteauguay food bank will be participating for the first time. Volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food items along the parade route. A drop-off point will also be set up in front of Howard S. Billings Regional High School, near the parade route. “Volunteers will be handing out Irish flags to people in exchange for a voluntary donation on McLeod Street,” Ms. Dickie said.

The Irish tradition is also to recognize the contribution of others, given the cost of organizing the event. “We are truly grateful for the efforts and dedication of every organization, school, team and company towards our parade,” added the Association representative.

Tiffany Dickie acknowledged that the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Châteauguay has grown over the past 20 years. The tradition, however, remains with its music, dances and festivities.

“Incredible” queen

Olivia de Repentigny is the name of the queen of the 20th annual parade. Tiffany Dickie describes her as an “incredible” young woman who upholds Irish traditions. Olivia de Repentigny was born the year the first Saint Patrick's Day parade took place in the streets of Châteauguay. The Napierville resident says she was “very surprised” to be named queen alongside five other candidates. “I am delighted and tremendously happy. I joined the Association two months before the selection. I wasn't expecting it,” she explained.

The 20-year-old has Irish roots. For several years, she has wanted to know more about the origins of the Henley family, her mother's descendants. The questions she posed to her relatives have remained unanswered. During a fundraising campaign for the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Châteauguay, Olivia de Repentigny couldn't help but fall under its spell. “I was overcome with a feeling of pride in my Irish roots. This is my thing. It's fantastic. The welcome was warm and open. I fell in love,” she said.

Over the coming year, the queen will multiply her appearances on behalf of the Irish community at events and causes that are dear to them. "I will rekindle that spark in young people and encourage people to be proud of their origins," she concluded.

On the day of the parade, the streets are expected to be closed from 11 a.m., with a gradual reopening from 2 p.m., in order to “ensure the safety and smooth running of the event,” according to a press release.