Sacramento St. Patrick's Day Parade Annual Event

Old Sacramento's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 13, 2010

Bagpipes, drum corps, Irish step dancers, costumed marchers, and festive pageantry, bring the luck of the Irish to parade watchers during Sacramento's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Over a decade in existence, the parade has become a celebrated tradition filling the streets of Old Sacramento with over 500 costumed marchers, military regiments, marching bands, uniformed police and fire professionals, cultural organizations and much more.

Held at Old Sacramento, a 28-acre historic landmark and state historic park, the one hour parade begins promptly at 6 p.m. to the cheer of crowds that line the streets of the parade route beginning at 2nd Street near the California State Railroad Museum. Heading south to L Street, the event turns right on L to Front Street, then right on Front to J Street, where the parade ends at Front & J.

There's plenty to see and do before and after the parade, as the streets of Old Sacramento come alive in a family-friendly event appropriate for all ages (no alcoholic beverages will be served.) Live Irish-themed music, Celtic dancers in elaborate costumes, and the wildly popular Ophir Prison Marching and Kazoo Band, will all perform. During the evening of revelry many restaurants feature Irish menus or specialties, and adults who prefer a Guinness beer with their meal will be able to sit down and dine at popular restaurants throughout Old Sac.

The pride of sponsors--Old Sacramento Business Association, City of Sacramento - Old Sacramento Division, The Shamrock Club and Mix 96--this annual event held every year on or around March 17, is also a source of pride and enjoyment for residents who hospitably welcome tourists who attend. Several thousand people line the streets of Old Sacramento, closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 5:30 p.m.  -oldsacramento.com