Welcome to the St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire of Phoenix, Arizona Website

 

Parade Information

Parade Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010

Starting Time: 10:00 A.M.

Staging Area Location: 3rd St. from Thomas to Virginia

Route: 3rd St. South from Virginia to Moreland.

 

Click here for a map of the parade.

Click here for band schedules, shuttle information and more.

 

The Faire follows immediately after the parade at Margaret T. Hance Park.

N. Central Ave and W. Culver St., next to the Irish Cultural Center.

 

This year's Grand Marshall is Sister Raphael Quinn, Principal of Sts. Simon & Jude School in Phoenix.

Our Irish Persons of the Year are Sandy & Harry Carroll.

The Phoenix St. Patrick's Day Parade began in 1983. Its purpose is to preserve and enhance the heritage and traditions of the Irish Culture as well as share that culture with the citizens of Arizona. This year will be the 27th Anniversary. The Parade has marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, police and fire vehicles, government dignitaries, floats, the 2010 Arizona Irish Colleen with her court and a whole lot more.

 

Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and orange, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

 

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries before the serious celebration begins.

 

In America cities with a large Irish population like Phoenix, St. Patrick's Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, "wearing the green", music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!