246th New York City
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

Since 1762, New York has held the oldest, largest and best Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The first parade pre-dated the independence of the country itself, and was organized by Irish soliders in His Majesty’s Service. It quickly became a community affair, usually organized by fraternity, trade or parish.

Originally, they would march to the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral then at Mott and Prince Streets. As New York City came into its own, so did the parade. Today the marching reaches far into the city and now ends at the new St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is customary for the New York Archbishop to review the parade in front of St Patrick’s. If you wish to see the review in front of the Cathedral, plan to arrive very early.

One of great features of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is that there are no cars, floats, or other vehicles allowed. This allows marchers to take a carefree stroll in a very festive atmosphere. The largest contingents include the Emerald Societies of the New York City Police and Fire Departments, and Eire-based societies that make the Atlantic crossing to join the parade. Last year, over 400 marching bands, Pipes and Drums Corps and County Societies joined over 200,000 other marches from St. Patrick’s Cathedral up Fifth Avenue to 86th Street.

Over 2 million spectators flood Manhattan to watch, cheer and maybe have some green beer.

The 131st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Monday and Tuesday, February 12-13, 2007
Madison Square Garden
Pennsylvania Plaza
Seventh to Eighth Avenues and 31st to 33rd Streets
Individual Breed Judging: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Group and Best in Show: 8 through 11 p.m.
Tickets: 212-307-7171
Web: www.westminsterkennelclub.org

Who doesn’t like to see the who’s who of the canine world at the world famous Westminster Dog Show. This is America’s first and only Champions Only dog show.  The total amount of pooches vying for the crown of Best in Show is limited to just 2,500 dogs.

Over 165 breeds and varieties are represented, and are judged in seven different groups. All Working, Terrier, Toy, and Non-Sporting breeds and varieties will be judged on Monday, with Sporting, Hound, and Herding breeds and varieties taking their turn on Tuesday. In the evening, the best of the dogs of the day battle it out for a spot in the coveted Best in Show group, which is judged Tuesday evening.

If you can’t make the show, during the day Monday and Tuesday there will be streaming video available on the Westminster website. The Group and Best in Show competition will be televised live on the USA Network from 8 to 11 p.m., Monday and Tuesday.

2007 Tribeca Film Festival
April 25 to May 6, 2007
Web: www.tribecafilmfestival.org

This festival is held in numerous locations throughout Manhattan. Last year, the Tribeca Film Festival screened 174 feature-length films and 100 short-films from over 40 countries across the globe. The festival is anchored in its namesake neighborhood, Tribeca, which will also have its street fair during this time.

A must-see during the festival is the Tribeca Drive In series. This favorite features a classic outdoor screening at the World Financial Center Plaza. The World Financial Center is bordered by West Street, the Hudson River, and Vesey and Liberty Streets, in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City. The screenings go on rain or shine and will entertain families and movie buffs of all ages. The Drive In is held nightly at dusk, starting on the last Thursday of the festival.

There will also be special events, concerts, panel discussions, celebrities and more, so check their website as the date approaches.