What to know about the 2023 Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade
Milwaukee's St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the oldest in the country, will once again march through the city, this year beginning at noon on March 11.
Here are more details about the parade and related festivities.
What is the route of Milwaukee's St. Patrick's Day Parade?
The parade will follow the same route as 2022's, beginning at North King Drive and West Wisconsin Avenue and ending at Water Street and Highland Avenue. Between, it will follow a route east on Wisconsin, north on North Plankinton Avenue, west on Kilbourn Avenue, north on King Drive, east on West Juneau Avenue and south on Water Street.
Who will be in the St. Patrick's Day Parade?
There will be more than 120 units in the parade, including Irish dance groups, pipe and drum corps, floats and local dignitaries.
How old is Milwaukee's St. Patrick's Day Parade?
The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin has been putting on the parade since 1967 (now in conjunction with the Westown Association), but Milwaukee held its first St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 1843, according to the Club.
RELATED:Milwaukee's first St. Patrick's Day parade was partly an anti-drinking event. Partly.
Which streets will be closed during the St. Patrick's Day Parade?
The following streets will close at 10 a.m. on March 11:
West Wisconsin Avenue from King Drive to 6th Street
North Phillips Avenue from Wisconsin Avenue to Clybourn Street (Michigan Street will remain open to traffic)
North 3rd Street from Michigan Street to Everett Street
Everett Street from 3rd Street to Phillips Avenue
The streets along the parade route will close at 11:45 a.m.
These streets will be closed from about 1 p.m. until they are cleared at 2:30 p.m.:
North Water Street from East Highland Avenue to East State Street
East Highland Avenue from North Broadway to North Edison Street
What are parking and other transportation options the day of the St. Patrick's Day Parade?
Parking is available for a special $3 rate at The Avenue, if you arrive between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Find entrances at 615 N. Plankinton Ave. and 258 W. Michigan St.
The Hop streetcar has a couple of stops near the parade route, including one along North Broadway at East Wells Street and one on Broadway at Wisconsin Avenue. Milwaukee County Transit System also offers public transportation options.
Parking will not be permitted along the parade route, and any cars parked in the temporary no-parking areas will be towed beginning at 7 a.m. March 11.
Are there are any pre- or post-parade parties?
The free ShamROCK Kick-Off Party will be held from 5:30 to 11 p.m. March 10 at the Lucky Clover Irish Pub, 1048 N. King Drive. Ian Gould will perform at 5:30 p.m. and Pat McCurdy will take the stage at 8 p.m. There also will be raffle prizes, with winners announced at 7:30 p.m.
The Shamrock Club Post Parade Party is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. March 11 at the Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., and will feature Irish dance performances, music and more. Admission is $8 for adults (ages 12 and older) or $20 for a family.
When and where is mass?
The 36th Annual Mass in Honor of St. Patrick will be held at 8:30 a.m. March 11 at St. Patrick’s Church, 723 W. Washington St. There will be songs, hymns and readings in English and Irish, the Shamrock Club Color Guard will stand the colors, and the Shamrock Club Choir will sing the liturgy. There also will be a sign language interpreter.
More information
See saintpatricksparade.org or call (414) 276-6696.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade: Date, route, street closures
