THE 49TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND THE
40TH ANNUAL MICHELOB ULTRA ST. PATRICK’S DAY RUN
WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018

The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Louis will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2018, St. Patrick’s Day, starting at 1:00 p.m. Leading the 49th annual parade will be parade founder and St. Louis Irish Consul Joseph McGlynn, Jr., Parade Committee Chairperson Vincent Via, the Guest of Honor Lorraine Gifford Lee, an Irish Senator; our Military Guest of Honor Major General Kent Savre, our Honorary Parade Marshal St. Louis City Assessor and former Alderman for 27 years Stephen J. Conway; St. Louis City Mayor Lyda Krewson ; Parade Director Shawn Mulligan; and other dignitaries. This year’s parade will also be a Salute to St. Louis Irish Heritage.

The parade steps off at 1:00 P.M. from 20th and Market Streets and proceeds east on Market to Broadway and then south on Broadway where it will disband at Clark Street. Market Street will be closed at 7:30 a.m. from Compton to Broadway. Parade units will stage starting at 7:30 a.m. from Compton to 18th Street.

                The parade, also known as St. Louis’ “Rite of Spring,” will feature over 130 units, including floats, bands, marching units, large helium-filled balloons, and over 5,000 marchers.

In the past with good weather, more than 350,000 spectators have gathered along Market Street to watch the elaborate floats, marching bands, marching units, dance groups, animal units, novelty units, and motorized units.

The children’s favorites – giant cartoon character helium-filled balloons – will be featured in the parade. Each balloon will have its own team of handlers, usually employees of the corporate sponsor of the balloon in question.

McGlynn noted the support the run has received over the years from Anheuser-Busch, “From the very first run 40 years ago, Anheuser-Busch was there supporting our efforts.” The 40th Annual Michelob ULTRA St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run will precede the parade at 9:00 a.m. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run is St. Louis’ largest locally organized run. It covers a five-mile course which will begin on Broadway just south of the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark hotel in front of the Ballpark Village (Broadway between Walnut and Clark Streets) and conclude at 8th and Market Streets. In addition, this year will also feature a three-kilometer run which will be part of the five-mile course. Runners will then be directed to the Michelob ULTRA Runners Village at The Ballpark Village at 7th and Walnut Streets. Ballpark Village featuring a live band, food and beverage which will be open prior to, during and after the parade.

Over 8,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers of all ages participated in the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Run.  There are 13 different age categories for both male and female competitive runners, ranging in age from under14 to 70-plus years.  Prizes will be awarded in age categories for both men and women, including “14 and under” and “70 and over.”

This year’s run will bring back the popular “Best Costume” award competition. Individuals and teams can show off their best Irish-themed outfits. In the past there have been Irish potatoes as well as St. Patrick driving out the snakes. The runners’ creativity is their only limit.

Runners may register online at: stpatsrun.com. The cost is $32.00 with the entry fee going up in March. Past top finishers will be issued special bib numbers so they will be allowed into the corral at the front of the pack.

The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark is the official hotel of the St. Patrick’s Day Run and Parade. For information on special St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Run room packages, visit the hotel’s “Hotel Specials” page of its website WWW.HILTONSTLOUIS.COM or call 314-421-1776.

The Shamrock Village opens at 9:00 a.m. on Parade Day at the Aloe Plaza across from Union Station on Market Street and closes at 4 p.m. The Village will feature a Main Stage and food and beverage booths. Starting at 9:00 a.m. some of the unique inflatable balloons that will be in the parade will begin inflating at Aloe Plaza as part of the pre-parade activities.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Michelob Ultra St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run celebration kicks off Friday night, March 16 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, 1 South Broadway, with cocktails and dinner.  For cost and further information, call 314-241-PATS or visit our website at irishparade.org.

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