You’re in luck, Houston, for the beloved St. Patrick’s Day Parade is returning for its 61st year. Kicking off at noon this Saturday, March 12, the parade will once again flood downtown streets with floats, people, and all things green!
The Houston St. Patrick’s Day is a longstanding annual tradition celebrating Irish heritage dating back to the 1880’s. What began as day filled with fun, food, music, and games in Houston’s Market Square has, though same in spirit, grown substantially in size becoming, according to the website, one of the largest SPD celebrations in the country.
Due to the general wretchedness – we’re all familiar – of the past two years, the parade went on hiatus. According to its website, it was the longest pause in the parade since World War II. But alas, the past is the past, and the parade is coming back better than ever with a two-hour long procession through Houston’s downtown streets followed by an award and after party in Market Square.
Set your alarms for noon this Saturday, for the parade runs from 12 pm to 2 pm in downtown Houston. Starting at the Clock Tower at MinuteMaid Park, the parade with proceed west. For a more detailed look at the route, you can visit this map here.
Organizers also ask attendees not to park on streets where the parade is set to take place, encouraging attendees to find parking on other streets or in one of the surrounding parking garages.
Following the parade, there will be an after party in Market Square with games and music, as well as an award ceremony at 2 pm. Additionally, attendees can mosey on down to POST Houston, which will be hosting a block party of their own with floats, green beer, vendors, Irish dancers, face painting, and more until 5 pm.
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