St. Patrick’s Day parades and festivals will be turning towns and cities around the state turn green for the Irish holiday. St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday with religious origins, that many people see as an excellent opportunity to party and drink green beer.
Following is a guide to some of the festivities and parades around Florida. St. Patrick’s Day falls on Monday, March 17. Since the holiday is falling on what is a work day for many, most of the parades are being being held on the weekend before the Irish Holiday.The day before St. Patrick’s Day is Palm Sunday, so most of the parades are being held on Saturday, or the previous week, to avoid conflict with the important Christian commemoration.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival, Port St. Lucie, Saturday, March 8 The City festival feature fine arts, woodworking, crafts, vendors, children’s activities, live dancing and singing performances. The festival runs from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Coral Gables Wearing of the Green, Annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival, Coral Gables, Saturday, March 15. The 30th annual festival features Irish food, crafts, and music. Irish food, such as corn beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread will be served. Fred B. Harnett Park. Noon until Sunset.
St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival, Hollywood, Sunday, March 9
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island St. Patrick’s Party, Pleasure Island, Lake Buena Vista. March 14, 15, 17. 7 pm,-2 am
The “luck of the Irish” is in the air. Celebrate the Irish holiday with leprechauns, Irish artist videos. Live music will be performed by “Seven Nations.” DJ’s club admission is not required for this event. Raglan Road, the Irish Pub and Restaurant, is one of the newest restaurants at Downtown Disney. The Irish pub is located at the main entrance of Pleasure Island.
Naples St. Patrick’s Parade, Naples, Saturday, March 15.. The parade kicks off with a traditional flag raising ceremony at 9 am. The parade begins at 11 am. Olde Naples claims to be the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Southeast , with nearly 40,000 people in attendance. This in the 30th annual St. Pats Day Parade in Paradise
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Ybor City, Tampa, March 15, 8:00 pm.The annual parade down 7th Street starts at 8:00 pm and lasts into the wee hours.
The streets of Ybor City will be ablaze lighted floats loaded with leprechauns.
Tallahassee Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 15 at 2 pm. The annual parade is around the Lake Ella Staging Area. Parade includes families, clans, organizations, churches, schools, marching units, bands, pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, cars, motorcycles and horses.
Key Largo St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Key Largo, Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 pm.
Irish Fest 2008, Meyer Amphitheater, West Palm Beach, FL. March 15 – 16. Over a dozen different performing artists, dancing and an Irish marketplace featuring authentic Irish gifts and an International food court. Scheduled performers include Wolfe Tones with Derek, Warfield, The Prodigals, Paddy Noonan, Comic Eddie Devine, John Scott Trotter, St. Andrews Pipes and Drums, The Coachmen, Erin Quill, Connelly & Sheehan, West of Galway, Six on the Road, Noel Kingston, Tir Na Greine Dancers, Cet, Tipsey Laird, West of Galway, Celtic Bridge and Irish Cloggers.Tickets $12
St. Patrick’s Day at Universal City Walk, Orlando, Monday, March 17. Pat O’Brien’s Biggest St. Patty’s Day Party ever features live rock bands, special drinks leprechauns and Irish food.
Irish pubs and bars also hold parties, serving green beer and Irish whiskey. St. Patrick’s Day is a time when people love to gather, drink and tell Irish stories filled with blarney. Even if you are not near one of the celebrations listed here, it is very likely that a St. Patrick’s Day party can be found somewhere nearby.
Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in good health. It’s always wise to verify information before making a trip.
