Delray Beach has added another accolade to its list, as the city's St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival recently clinched the "Best Community Parade" award from Midwestern Traveler Magazine. The 54th Annual Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival attracted an impressive crowd, with an estimated 48,000 individuals gathering to enjoy the festivities this year, as per Danielle Beardsley, Special Events and Marketing Coordinator of the City of Delray Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
The award, part of Midwestern Traveler's Best in Florida 2024 lineup, honors standout tourism professionals across the Sunshine State. Winners are decided by a voting system that involves customers, industry peers, and readers of the magazine. More than 70 groups, including fire departments from across the nation, United States Veterans, and various businesses and schools, came together to showcase their community pride and participate in the parade.
In an affirmation of the efforts invested into the event, Special Events Coordinator Stephanie Craney from Delray Beach Fire Rescue told Delray Beach official website, “When it comes down to it, both departments contribute so much time and such hard work to make this event special, it’s like two parades merging into one.” Craney also highlights the importance of honoring veterans, who traditionally lead the procession.
A poignant moment of the parade featured centenarian and Army Veteran Helen Ferrer as one of the 2020 Grand Marshals. Reminiscent of her days managing communications during D-Day in Normandy, she was accompanied by fellow women veterans from various branches of the military. They took to the streets with spirit, emblematic of the festival's inclusive celebration of service and perseverance.
Delray Beach, known for its dynamic and multicultural fabric, has been consistently recognized for its excellence and small-town charm. In recent times, it claimed the title of "#1 Best Beach in Florida" by USA TODAY’s 2024 10Best Readers' Choice Awards and received praise for Atlantic Avenue, a shopping district of historic and cultural significance. The city prides itself on balancing an appreciation of historical roots with an eye toward modern growth, evident in its triad of All-America City awards and status as a top location for small business development, according to Verizon Business rankings.
