Ocean City celebrates annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

OCEAN CITY, Md. – A decades old tradition made its way back to the streets of Ocean City.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was graced with a bright, sunny day and plenty of green.

Attendees showed up in droves and Rita Senseny said for an Irish gal like herself, the parade is the perfect place to enjoy the holiday and bask in the culture.

“I’m 75% Irish, so if you’re going to be celebrating your heritage, this is a great place to do it, and maybe teach your children about where they came from,” Senseny said.

The parade kicked off with traditional tunes played on bagpipes.

Celebrating his 38th year at the parade, bagpiper, William Magargle said incorporating music helps share a little piece of Ireland with attendees.

“It’s very important, especially traditions that people bring over from their motherland and other countries, just keeping the traditions alive here, in the U.S.,” Magargle said.

And Former Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, made a special appearance in the march himself.

“I love the Eastern Shore,” Governor Hogan said. “I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid, so every time I cross the bridge, I feel at home and the people out here really make me feel like I’m at home.”

While the event is meant to show the community a good time, marcher Danny Roarty said it also helps raise funds for a good cause.

“A lot of money is raised and goes towards scholarships, so we’re very grateful for anyone who comes down here and hopefully they have a lovely time and we really do enjoy it.”