What to Know About the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade — and Some Parade History
The annual parade, which has gone on for more than a century in all kinds of weather, is scheduled for this Saturday.
PHOTO BY DAVE COLE
Dust off your green shirts and stroll down to Grant Street this Saturday morning — it’s time for the country’s third largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Beginning at 10 a.m., the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts on Liberty Avenue and 11th Street near the Greyhound Bus Station. From there, it proceeds down Grant Street and turns right onto the Boulevard of the Allies. The route ends at Commonwealth Place.
There will be plenty of movement before the parade starts, too; a 5K and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run are scheduled to take place at 8 a.m., well before the parade kicks off. Competitive runners, casual joggers and families are encouraged to join. (Those making their way to the parade are advised to take the runs into consideration when planning transportation and parking.)
The Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to the mid-1800s. According to the parade’s website, the earliest record of the parade dates to 1869.
In 1871, the marchers were 175 men from the “Confederated Irishmen of Lawrenceville,” who wore sashes that said “God Save Ireland.” In 1956, during a snow cancellation, the parade still happened: About 200 men took to the streets in nine inches of snow for an impromptu parade. Later, the police chief even joined them.
The parade also occurred during the Blizzard of ‘93, the worst snowstorm in 100 years.
“Rain, hail, or even blizzard conditions cannot stop us from celebrating our Irish pride,” the website says. “Especially when ‘everyone is Irish for the day.’”
Approximately one-fifth of Pittsburgh’s population claims Irish heritage, according to parade organizers.
With up to 500,000 spectators present, the Irish Society for Education and Charity takes the parade seriously. No open containers are permitted along the parade route; parade participants are not allowed to throw items such as beads, candy or “silly string.” They’re also not allowed to lobby for or hold signs relating to political speech.
A few of last year’s 170 participants included Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and Her Court, the Pittsburgh Irish Wolfhounds, the Bell School of Irish Dance, an Irish Boxing team and the Pittsburgh Irish Rowing Club.
