Each year in Essex, around the middle of March, everyone gets to be Irish for a day. The eighth annual Essex go Bragh Irish Parade & Festival will be held Saturday, March 10 with the parade stepping off from Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. This special event is sponsored by Essex Park & Recreation and is held annually on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.

The Essex Go Bragh (translated as “Essex Forever”) Irish Parade & Festival will feature an Irish-themed parade down Main Street into the heart of Essex Village followed by the Festival. The idea for this event was born in the minds of Park & Recreation staff as a new special event for Essex that would get people together in the village for fun and festivities and to hopefully break the spell of a long and cold winter. The Town of Essex was already a host to a multitude of parades throughout the year, so another parade seemed like a good idea. Over the years, Essex go Bragh has been very well received by the community, enjoying many hundreds of visitors each year.

The parade is truly a festive affair for the whole family with a lot to see and enjoy. A color guard of local Essex veterans leads the march followed by the antique cars of the Essex Auto Club. A carriage, drawn by horses from Allegra Farms, carries our grand marshal along our parade route. Local officials and politicians compete for space amongst the fife and drums, Irish step dancers, tractors, and floats. In previous years, local scouting organizations, Essex Lions Club, Essex Community Fund, Ivoryton Playhouse, Essex Meadows, Essex Fire Department’s antique fire truck and live music have highlighted the parade as well. Additionally, marchers have included the Valley Regional High School State Champion Boys Basketball Team, the Essex Elementary School Green Team, several local businesses and many other community groups. Music is provided by the Sailing Masters of 1812.

The 2018 grand marshal is Essex resident and former Park & Recreation director Alan Miller. Miller has a long history is serving his country in the U.S. Coast Guard and working in the Essex community to better its parks and programs.

The parade steps off from Town Hall at 10:30 a.m., turns on to West Avenue, then proceeds down Main Street into the heart of Essex Village. Visitors are encouraged to arrive and park near downtown well before 10:30 a.m. as some roads close to traffic for the duration of the parade.

All Essex residents and community organizations are encouraged to get involved. Full event information will be posted at www.essexct.gov prior to March 10. Activities for 2018 will include free horse and carriage rides, face painting with Bohemian Body Art, and special events at the Griswold Inn.

Essex Park & Recreation invites groups or organizations to march. To confirm a group’s participation, or for more information, contact Essex Park & Recreation at 860-767-4340 x110 or recreation@essexct.gov.