The tailgating tradition continued before Hartford’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade Saturday morning. The city decided not to let Mother Nature rain on their parade, when they canceled a week ago. However, little did they know, this week they’d step off in snow.
“We canceled it to get this. I think we should try again. Maybe tomorrow,” said Chris Connolly, of New Britain.
The snow fell steadily, delaying the celebration for some.
“We’re here before the sun comes up, but this year the weather put a little delay in it, but we’re getting it going now with the grill,” said Justin Quinn, of East Hartford.
The winter weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the hardiest parade-goers on the first full day of spring.
“No, not at all. It’s just snow,” Michael Breaux, of South Windsor.
“It weeds out the true believers vs the nice day people,” added Chris Wilke, of Windsor.
After shoveling out a spot in a parking lot along the parade route, they found ways to keep warm.
“With warm food and beverages,” said Connolly.
”Eating. Eating, hanging out, having fun,” added Breaux.
With all the eating and drinking, the Special Olympics of Connecticut was ready for when nature called.
“People pay to use the restrooms and 100 percent of the money goes to Special Olympics, because there’s no port-o-lets around here. This is done by the Hartford PD and the Law Enforcement Torch Run,” explained Joseph Carlone, of Special Olympics of Connecticut.
The donation to use the restrooms one time was small, but for $20, people could skip the line all together, all day long.
While some stayed bundled in layers and layers of green, others chose fashion over function.
“You have to, you have to show it,” said Breaux, who donned a green kilt in the below freezing temperatures as he tailgated.
He wasn’t the only one showing off more than his Irish heritage. Steve Simonelli, of Cornwall, wore shorts.
“I wear shorts all the time, it doesn’t matter,” he said.
Justin Quinn refused to wear a coat over his head to two ensemble inspired by shamrocks and all things green.
“Absolutely not. 100%. Every year we go I have a different outfit, a different suit made,” he explained.
Irish luck may not have been on their side, but it seems some traditions live on rain, shine, or snow.
Meriden also had its St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
