Essex go Bragh Irish Parade

03/23/2026

☘️ THANK YOU, ESSEX! ☘️

What an incredible day at the 2026 Essex go Bragh Irish Parade !

A heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing parade participants — your energy, creativity, and Irish spirit brought the parade to life and made this event so special year after year.

And to our wonderful community, thank you for coming out, lining the streets, and cheering on every group. Your support, smiles, and enthusiasm are what truly make this parade such a cherished Essex tradition.

It was a perfect day filled with community pride, celebration, and a whole lot of green! 💚

📅 Save the Date:
We can’t wait to do it all again on Saturday, March 20, 2027!

03/20/2026

03/20/2026

It looks like we’ve got a little Irish luck on our side — the weather is cooperating and we are ready to march!
A big Irish THANK YOU to all of our amazing participants who bring the music, energy, and spirit to this incredible tradition each year. We couldn’t do it without you!
💚🤍🧡 Give a cheer for our 2026 Parade Participants:
Police Honor Guard
Sailing Masters
Essex Historical Society
Grand Marshal The Semi Q America 250 Essex Commission
Elected Officials
Mulkerin School of Irish Dance
Essex Bank
Essex Garden Club
Paddy Whacks
Valley Regional High School Baseball Team
Essex Lions Club
Sea Music Festival
Sustainable Essex
Essex Preschool
Grays School of Irish Dance
Ivoryton Alliance
Valley Little League
Wayward Witches
Bushy Hill Nature Center
Essex Library
Local Scout Troops
Middletown PBA Pipes & Drums
Connecticut River Museum
Corinthian Yacht Club
Essex Steam Train
Community Music School Fiddlers
Gracie!
Antique & Classic Cars
Tractors & Community Vehicles
Essex Fire Department
Essex Ambulance Association
🎶 From bagpipes to dancers, tractors to fire trucks — this parade has it all!
📣 Grab your green, bring your friends, and line the streets — let’s celebrate Essex style!
Sláinte! 🍀

03/19/2026

The forecast is looking better and better!
A few showers move through Friday night.
Saturday: 💧🌥️⛅️🌤️ 🌬️Left over shower early. Otherwise, increasing sunshine. Highs in the mid to upper 50s. Cooler in the hills and at the beaches. Breezy NW winds. See ya Sat. March 21 Essex go Bragh Irish Parade steps off at 11am.

03/17/2026

ATTENTION NEIGHBORS - There will be no parking on the East and West sides of West Ave or Grove Street except for Parade Vehicles and along the South-facing side of West Avenue, except for Parade Vehicles. (Grove Street will be closed to through traffic from approximately 10:30 to 11:15) Sat. March 21st Town of Essex – Government

03/12/2026

Just 9 days away! Essex go Bragh Irish Parades Almost Here!

We are just over a week away from one of Essex’s favorite traditions — the 2026 Essex go Bragh Irish Parade! Now in its 15th year, here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the day.
📅 Saturday, March 21
⏰ Step-off at 11:00 AM
📍 Starting at Essex Town Hall
The parade will take place rain, snow, wind, or sunshine. In the event of severe weather or safety concerns, the parade will be cancelled by 8:00 AM and will not be rescheduled. Any updates will be posted on the Essex Park and Recreation page and at www.essexct.gov
🎉 Parade Route
The parade will begin promptly at Essex Town Hall, travel south on West Avenue, pass Champlin Square, continue along Main Street through Essex Village, and turn onto Ferry Street, where the parade will conclude.
This year’s parade is expected to last about one hour and will feature:
🇺🇸 Local Veterans
🥁 Fife & Drum Corps
💃 Irish Step Dancers
🐶 The always popular Parade of Pooches
👧👦 Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
🏫 Local schools
🤝 Community organizations, nonprofits, and regional groups
🚗 Parking Information
Parking will be available at:
• Cross Lots Park
• Hubbard Field
• Public Lot behind the Essex Post Office
• Griswold Square
• Route 9 Exit 3 Commuter Lot
• Limited street parking in Essex Village
Please be sure to follow all posted traffic and parking signs.
Bring your green, your friends, and your community spirit and join us for a festive morning celebrating Irish pride and the wonderful Essex community! ☘️🎶
We can’t wait to see everyone next Saturday in Essex Village!

03/11/2026

Top of the Morning to our Facebook Friends. We are just 10 days away from Essex go Bragh Irish Parade So of course, I was taking a trip down memory lane to the very 1st Essex go Bragh Irish Parade
Essex Park and Recreation hosted the 1st parade with playwright Malachy McCourt as Grand Marshal in 2011! Please join as we celebrate 15 years of all things Irish in the Town of Essex – Government March 21 2026 - stepping off from Essex Town Hall at 11am. for more information, contact 860-767-4340 x110 or email [email protected]

03/04/2026

So excited to have Middletown PBA Pipes & Drums back in Essex!!!!!

Let’s make sure we’ve got our entire St Patrick’s parade schedule in one place for you. Today is, after all, March 4th - National Marching Music Day.

Our season begins with the Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade this Saturday March 7. This is a big one. Everyone is there. You should be too!

On March 15, we’ll be performing in the St. Patrick's Day Parade New London! This will be the band’s first ever performance at this great parade.

March 21 brings us to the Essex go Bragh Irish Parade. This is a fun parade in a great little town. We’ve been known to drop in to a few places for some tunes after this parade.

March 22 we’ll be back in Mystic for the Mystic Irish Parade. We have a great time at this one during the parade and gathering to play with the other bands afterwards.

March 28 is the Meriden St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We’re excited to be back for this one again.

(And of course, we’ll have our pub crawl on March 17)

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from Essex Park and Recreation and the Town of Essex – Government! We will be giving out treats from Main Street Park starting a 5pm. Be sure to send your Trick or Treaters are way!

10/25/2024

Dare I say the Sun will be shining for tomorrows Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Parade and Festival ??? Essex Park and Recreation is so excited to host this fun family event. If you have never been you are missing out on one of the best things about living in a small town....our community events. We owe so much to our partners Essex, CT Lions Club Ivoryton Library Association Ivoryton Village Alliance Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau Essex Board of Trade Town of Essex – Government @ Essex Police Union Bushy Hill Nature Center. House of the Triple Moon Brickside Pizza . Ivoryton Tavern Ivoryton Playhouse The Blue Hound Cookery & Taproom
and of all the people, businesses, and organizations who carve pumpkins! The day begins with The Ivoryton Pumpkin Carving Party at Bushy Hill. Our costume parade steps off at 4pm from the Corner of Main and Walnut Street (Ivoryton Village) hope to see you there!

10/23/2024

Just 3 days away until the 2024 Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Parade and Festival and The Ivoryton Pumpkin Carving Party at Bushy Hill. Spend the day! Pumpkin Carving Starts at 9:30 and the Parade steps of at 4pm. Trunk or Treat and Festival start at 4:30
Enjoy all our 3 villages have to offer this Sat. Oct 26th. Ivoryton Village Alliance Essex Board of Trade Town of Essex – Government Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Connecticut River Museum Essex Historical Society Essex Land Trust Essex Park and Recreation Ivoryton Library Association
3 Villages 1 Town!

10/21/2024

Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Parade and Festival - Just 5 days Away! This Fun Free Family event has been celebrated in our Village since 2000. Our record for carved pumpkins is 350! Will 2024 be the year that we break that record? Bring your carved pumpkins anytime to the Ivoryton Village Green between 9a-1pm and pick a spot - we will supply the candles! Or join us for the The Ivoryton Pumpkin Carving Party at Bushy Hill from 9:30-12:30.