Downtown Improvement District outlines Saint Patrick's Day parade route, closures and sponsors

Todd Vanderwude, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, told Harrisburg City Council on March 11 that the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade will be held on Saturday, March 15, starting at 2:00 p.m. He briefed council on the parade route, associated road closures and event logistics.

Vanderwude said parade participants will line up on the Market Street bridal, proceed to Second Street, turn left to North Street, then return down Front Street to finish at the Market Street bridal. He said a map of the route and a list of road closures are posted on the event website harrisburgsaintpatrick'sdayparade.com.

Vanderwude also described the day’s events that precede the parade: the Lucky Charm 4-miler race begins at noon and finishes at the parade stage on Market Street; race participants receive medals and customized race shirts and the event is limited to 1,000 runners. He said Market Street will have staged closures from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday for setup and the race; the Market Street Bridal will close around 11 a.m. Vanderwude said a special-event parking fee of $10 will be charged at the Market Square Garage, and thanked Park Harrisburg for facilitating that arrangement.

On participants and sponsors, Vanderwude listed likely parade entrants (pipe bands, Irish dance schools, local civic groups, the Harrisburg Senators baseball club and local vintage car groups), and named presenting sponsor Brew Barons Beer Trail plus a list of additional sponsors that help underwrite the event. Ross Productions was listed as the sound provider for the parade.

The city clerk confirmed organizers will provide route and closure information on the parade website and that all usual special-event processes will apply.