MANCHESTER, N.H. – Manchester’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is only a few months away, but how it might look or if it will even happen remains to be seen.
Following a lengthy back-and-forth regarding how parades should be organized during the Dec. 3, 2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) meeting, a letter has been submitted into the public record from the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of Manchester continuing concerns noted during that discussion.
Within that letter (see above), the committee says that if the parade cannot return to its original route on Elm Street going from Salmon Street to Central Street, then the parade will not be held in 2026. The committee voiced concerns about the current staging area for the parade on the Notre Dame Bridge, better known as the Bridge Street Bridge. During the Dec.3 BMA meeting, At-Large Alderman Dan O’Neil felt that the staging area on the bridge was too small for a parade as large as the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. He also expressed a concern for the safety of that location given an open-air gap separating the west-bound and east-bound portions of the bridge, which is 52 feet tall at its maximum point.
Both Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais and O’Neil have told Manchester Ink Link that they feel confident that a compromise can be made before plans need to be finalized in early January.
“We’re continuing to work with the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and first responders to come to a positive resolution,” said Ruais.
“I’m optimistic we can work this out, while addressing some of the concerns about public safety,” said O’Neil.
During the Dec. 3 BMA meeting, Manchester Fire Department Chief Ryan Cashin stated in regard to the Holiday Parade that the Bridge Street Bridge deck is a safe staging area and has ample room to hold parade participants and first responders while also being near the Brady Sullivan Plaza (1000 Elm St.), which provides bathroom facilities and other amenities to parade participants. However, in response to a question from Ruais, he would not be opposed to a parade route beginning on Salmon Street if additional barricades and security could be provided.
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