It was a sea of green Sunday along Forest Ave on Staten Island. Some families said attending the Richmond County St. Patrick’s Parade is a tradition spanning generations.

“We’ve been coming for 20, 25 years [to the] same spot. This is probably the best year weather wise,” Don Tierney said along the parade route.

“This is like the big parade of the year. Everyone comes out, everyone has fun,” Arielle Somerville said as she cheered on the street with her friends.

What You Need To Know

  • Sunday marked the 60th annual Richmond County St. Patrick’s Parade  

  • LGBTQ groups are still denied from taking part

  • This year was the 7th Annual Rainbow Run, also known as the Forest Ave Mile, which developed into a protest event to the parade

  • Organizers of a new parade on March 17 by The Forest Ave Business Improvement District said all individuals and groups are welcome to take part

Sunday marked the 60th annual Richmond County St. Patrick’s Parade, dozens of floats rolled by an enthusiastic crowd from Hart to Jewett avenues.

“So fun, the vibes are so positive,” attendee Anna Renner said.

Besides the positivity, the day is mired in controversy. It’s the last of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parades still not allowing LGBTQ organizations to participate.

Before the parade stepped off, The Staten Island Athletic Club held its Forest Avenue Mile, now also known as the Rainbow Run. It’s an all-inclusive celebration that has turned into something of a protest run.

“Rainbow Run is an organization that started out of the Staten Island Pride Center being denied marching in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Staten Island,” lead organizer of Rainbow Run, KC Hankins said.

This is the seventh year of the Rainbow Run and this year marks a new step in the Staten Island Pride Center’s fight to march. A separate parade is being held on Staten Island on St. Patrick’s Day, allowing anyone to take part.

“This year we decided enough is enough,” Hankins said.

People have mixed feelings on the Richmond County parade excluding the LGBTQ community.

“Celebrate both types together. I think it’s more interesting that way,” runner Melissa Kraker said.

“Just march, don’t have your banner,” Vicki Bianco, an attendee of the parade, said, referring to an LGBTQ pride banner.

NY1 reached out to organizers of the Richmond County St. Patrick’s Parade; they declined the opportunity for an interview. The Forest Ave Business Improvement District invites any individuals or groups who wish to take part in their parade on March 17.