You can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday the way the Whaling City’s Celtic ancestors would want you to: watching an Irish parade makes its way around the streets of downtown New London.

The parade begins at 1 p.m. and travels from the corner of Bank and Tilley streets north on Bank Street, left onto State Street, ending on Washington Street. It’s about ¾ of a mile total.

Per usual, viewers can see local bands, civic organizations and youth groups trod the trail. Returning this year is New London’s Firefighters Pipe & Drum Band.

The grand marshal this year is Clare DePeter Powers, who has lived in New London for 40 years and is an active volunteer in youth sports. She’s proud of her Irish heritage and fell in love with Ireland when she studied Irish folklore, history and archeology at the University College Cork, Ireland.

In the spirit of the ever-misting country of Ireland, the parade will be held rain or shine.

New London St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 1 p.m. Sunday; route is corner of Bank and Tilley streets, north on Bank Street, left onto State Street, ending on Washington Street; neffproductions.com.