2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hartford

One of the most fun things to photograph for me will always be parades. Since I came to America, I have only missed two of them—both for reasons beyond my control—and I have been able to capture three. The joy and colors brought by hundreds of people who come together to celebrate Irish heritage is indeed something to watch.

Perhaps, on a personal note, it feels a little different. The first parades I got to shoot on were the May Day ones in my native Holguín, where pro-Castro propaganda set the tune people would have to dance to. Along in the mix, I could also capture the Romerías de Mayo, a pilgrimage with religious origins but with a cultural theme celebrated in the city on the same month—which also included some political tints.

St. Patrick’s Day brought a whole different experience when I first shot one parade in 2022. Although military and police representatives partake in it, they do not rule the narrative (although the latter is obviously involved in the organization and protection of attendants). Irish flags can be seen at all times, and people wear mainly green and orange outfits, which, along with white, are part of the Irish flag.

Although there were a couple of signs carrying political messages, the reality that tends to hit someone who comes from totalitarianism is that freedom of speech is exercised in full form in this country.

This particular parade, held March 7, 2026, brought a special feel for me. As someone who is still relatively new to the state, there was something that made me feel like I have been here all my life.

As it turns out, I happened to run into a lot of people I know, and who obviously reacted to my presence. Hartford Yard Goats family members Mike Abramson and Mia Hwang, fellow photographer Levell Williams, governor’s office worker and CTHispanicWatch-featured Mellaney Castro, and three students (one former, one current and one future) of my teaching endeavors were all people I got the chance to see and say hello to.

I was also invited to join the Connecticut’s Home For Traditional Irish Sports for catching a hard ball mid air while still holding my camera.

So, next year, I will be looking forward to the bagpipes, the kilts, the joyful Irish dance, and the colors. St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become one of my favorite events to witness and photograph.

I hereby leave some of my favorite images of this year’s parade.