The Irish Congress of Southern California will host its 35th Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival on Saturday, March 14, starting at 10:30am. Considered the largest St. Patrick's Day parade west of the Mississippi, this year's event is sponsored by Guinness and will take off from Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street as thousands of marchers and spectators gather to celebrate St. Paddy's Day and the luck o' the Irish!
There will be over 120 Parade entries at this year's parade. Come and see bagpipers, high school marching bands, police and fire department units, floats, dancing groups, marching and equestrian units, clowns, representatives from Ireland, antique cars and more. The theme of this year’s parade is “Celebrating Faith and Freedom”. The Parade travels up Fifth Avenue from Laurel to Upas Street and then returns down Sixth Avenue to Laurel.
In addition to the parade, an event-filled Irish Festival takes place in Balboa Park from 9am to 6pm and will offer live entertainment on two stages, including Irish step dancers in the morning followed by a lineup of San Diego Irish Folk singers and bands throughout the day. There will also be craft and food booths, a beer garden, as well as a kid zone with rides. Other events include a Catholic Mass held in the Imperial House, located at 505 Kalmia Street, taking place at 8am, and a Military Flag presentation ceremony at Sixth Avenue and Laurel at 9:45am.
For more information, visit stpatsparade.org.
