Downtown Pittsburgh will turn green on Saturday, March 11, with the return of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade that will feature 22,000 participants and could draw as many as 200,000 to 350,000 spectators, depending upon the weather.

This year’s parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m., promises to be bigger than ever, bringing in more marching bands from across the country, Irish dancers and Irish-heritage groups, parade officials say. 

The parade will follow the same route as in recent years. It begins at the Greyhound Bus Station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street and will proceed from the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Grant Street and then down Grant to the Boulevard of the Allies, where it will turn right. It will then proceed down the Boulevard of the Allies to end at Commonwealth Place.

During parade hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Market Square will host family-friendly activities and entertainment, including music from  Celtic band, Abbots Cross, Irish dancers from local schools, face-painting and vendors. A pre-parade Mass will be held at 8 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 17th Street and Liberty Avenue, in the Strip District.

RAY WERNER, GRAND MARSHAL

The parade’s grand marshal this year is Ray Werner, a noted playwright, writer, songwriter and longtime member of Pittsburgh’s Irish community who has been involved in several cultural boards. His newest musical, “Shantytown: The Ballad of Fr. James Cox,” will be the inaugural production at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater’s new location at the Madison Arts Center, 3401 Milwaukee St. in the Upper Hill. The premiere occurs the same day as the parade and runs for three weekends.

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2023 is Marigrace Murphy, a senior at Oakland Catholic High School.