St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Free Festival in San Francisco March 17, 2012
You never realize how many Irish there are in San Francisco until you attend one of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day events in the U.S., the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, now in its 161st year! Actually when you attend, you’ll find out that there’s a little bit of Irish in everyone–those who come to the celebration travel from all regions, walks of life, and ethnic groups. With over 4 million Californians of Irish heritage and 1 million Irish descendants located in the Bay Area, the spirit of Ireland is never far away on St. Patrick’s Day. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival attendance exceeds 100,000!
The event takes place on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with the Parade beginning at 11:30 a.m., at the corner of Second and Market, rain or shine. Over 100 colorful floats, Irish dance troupes and marching bands electrify Market Street and Civic Center Plaza.
The 161st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco is a well established event with historic ties to the city. The parade itself is a huge draw for attendees from all different demographics and ethnicity. A full day of activity is planned for the FREE St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Civic Center Plaza and on Grove Street, Polk to Larkin Street. The colorful festivities surrounding the parade showcase Irish Culture through live performance and entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, food and beverage concessions, children’s rides and inflatable’s, cultural displays, a petting zoo and pony ride and a number of non-profits booths representing the Irish community.
The Festival takes place, before, during and after the Parade on Saturday. The Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the corner of Second and Market, where more than 5,000 participants from all over the states, will reel about with laughter and revelry all the way to City Hall. This great San Francisco event is the largest St. Patrick’s day event west of the Mississippi.
Other St. Patrick’s Day Parades in California on March 17, 2012 include:
- Dublin, California St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Murphys Irish Day Parade
- Sacramento St. Patrick’s Day Parade – 1 p.m., 2nd & L Streets
- San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade
