10 Things You Need to Know About Pittsburgh’s 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

All the vital info, plus some .gifs that are totally unnecessary. Sláinte!

Photo via Flickr

 

Hooray! Parade day is almost upon us. But are you prepared for what it entails? Our survival guide will set you up for success.

Where’s the parade?
Starting at 10 a.m., it will kick off at the Greyhound Bus Station and end at Commonwealth Place. The red and green on the map does not represent Christmas in March. The red represents the staging area, and green shows the rest of the route. It's not unusual for the parade to last well past 1 p.m. This is a very Irish city. Prepare accordingly.

 

Where can I find a more adorable map?
Here. Look at that little Irish guy. That beard is quite impressive.

How do I get there?
Well unless you can teleport, you’d better leave early to beat traffic. The parade starts at 10 a.m. sharp — it will not wait for you to find a parking spot. Check out your options in advance at the Pittsburgh Parking Authority website and the South Side Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s a map of some public parking options around the parade route:

 

You also can take the bus or T service downtown; its website lists full schedules. Or you could test out one of the new ride-sharing companies: Uber and Lyft just made it to Pittsburgh.

Most importantly: Make a plan!

What’s the forecast for parade day?
As of now, partly cloudy and in the low 50s. But it’s probably best to prepare for anything. This is Pittsburgh, remember? Who knows how quickly the forecast might change.
 

Will anything impress my children (or husband), who would rather stay home and play videogames?
Yes! The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard will be participating in the parade. All 29 members of the Honor Guard will perform a set of precision drills. Still unsure? Fast-forward to 5:10 in the video and feel your jaw drop.
 

But I've heard things can get rowdy. Is it family-friendly?
Yes! This isn't Mardi Gras (at least anymore). The Pittsburgh police have gone to great lengths in recent years to ensure that the parade is fun for all. Open containers are banned except in the designated "party area" in Market Square, which is booze-free until 2 p.m.

Whom should I avoid picking a fight with?
Irish Olympian and welterweight gold-medal winner Michael Carruth. Coach of Team Ireland in the inaugural “Pittsburgh Donnybrook” amateur boxing event, Carruth and company will compete with Team Pittsburgh to take home the Ambassador’s Cup Trophy. We hate to be the bearer of bad news — but the match, set for Monday, already sold out.

 

Where can I find the official parade T-shirt?
You should be able to get one at Hometown Sports, Yinzers, Mike Feinberg Co., Black and Gold Store, S&S Candy and Tobacco, Definitely You, Joan’s Hallmark, S W Randall, Lebanon Shoppes, St. Brendan’s Crossing, Marcus Wholesale, Welcome Pittsburgh Information & Gift shop and other city vendors.

If you don’t care about receiving your shirt on parade day, you can always order it online while supplies last. A portion of proceeds will go to The Irish Society for Education & Charity, Inc., the nonprofit parent of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade Committee.

 

Who will be the coolest celeb at the parade?
Three-time U.S. Olympic Medalist Lauryn Williams. Let’s take a look at her resume.

• In 2004, she won silver in the 100 meters at the Athens games.

• In 2012, she won gold with the 4×100 meters relay team in London.

• In 2014, she won silver as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Bobsled Team.

 

She not only has super-strength, but she’s also quite brainy.

• She received her B.A. in finance from the University of Miami.

• She earned her M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.

• She’s currently pursuing certification in financial planning.

Cheers to you, Superwoman.

 

Will there be awesome dogs?
Yes! Is that even a question?

 

How do I share my parade photos with all of Pittsburgh and become instantly famous?
First, like us on Facebook. Then upload your photos to Instagram with the tag @pittsburghmagazine for a chance to be featured in this very blog.