St Patrick’s Day Parade returns March 9

Historic City News readers will enjoy this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 9 beginning at 10:00 a.m.; it is a favorite part of the annual St Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival weekend, going on in St Augustine March 9th and 10th at Francis Field on Castillo Drive.

Lads and lasses from throughout Georgia and Florida, Savannah to Sarasota, and beyond, converge upon America’s historic city each year — donning their best greens for the annual celebration of the Emerald Isle’s most revered saint.

“You’d never know that wearing of shamrocks was a crime punishable by hanging in 18th century England,” St Patrick’s Day Parade Committeewoman Sherri Cunningham told local Historic City News reporters. “Our parade will celebrate the luck o’ the Irish with green being the color of the day.”

Cunningham said that there is still time to become a parade participant. Registration for non-commercial participants is $30 per group; commercial participant are $55 per group, and can be registered online

Heidi Stouder, this year’s Celtic Festival Volunteer Coordinator, invites residents interested in participating in the production of the event activities to contact her by e-mail.

“We want spectators to come downtown for the St Patrick’s Day Parade and join in the fun as we march through the streets of the historic district,” Celtic Festival Committeeman John Cunningham said. “But, we want you to stay for the festival’s other attractions — Scottish and Irish bands playing traditional and modernized renditions of ancient Celtic music live on stage throughout the weekend.”

For a complete schedule, visit St Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival.