March is the luckiest month to be in downtown Harrisburg! With a schedule packed full of activities, festivals, and more, there is something to do nearly every weekend. The Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade stands at the top of that list: held on Saturday, March 16, starting at 2 p.m. in downtown Harrisburg, it contains a wide assortment of community groups, bands, characters, and other fun figures and organizations.
Fan-Favorites
Fire trucks will be there from the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, Duncannon Fire Company, Hummelstown Fire Department, and Penbrook Fire Company, and kids are sure to have out-of-this-world photo ops with the Star Wars characters from the Central PA Jedi-Sith Alliance, Garrison Carida, rebels from Kyber Base, and Mandalorians from Clan Mav Oya’la. Find yourself swept away to the green hills and fields of Ireland with the iconic, traditional bagpipe music from Lancaster-based Ceol Neamh Pipe Band, and tap along with the talented Irish dancers from the McGinley School of Irish Dance and the Carraig School of Irish Dance.
Something for Everyone
Bicyclists and bicycle enthusiasts are encouraged to join the Harrisburg Bicycle Club, Pedego, and Recycle Bicycle as they pedal along the nearly one-mile-long parade route. Cool cars, motorcycles, and scooters from the Three Mile Island Scooter Club, Blue Moon Cruisers, 717 3 Wheels Down, Zembo Shrine Corvette Club, and the Buffalo Soldier Cavalry Scouts Motorcycle Club will rev their engines along Second Street, and the “Roller Pride” marching band will be proudly representing the Steelton-Highspire junior and high school. Adoptable animals will be featured in the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area entry, and stately Irish Wolfhounds from the Potomac Valley Irish Wolfhound Club and Irish Wolfhound Association of Delaware Valley will be on the march, along with dozens of other groups!
Lucky Charm Race
Prior to the parade is the Lucky Charm 4-Miler, starting at noon. Runners are welcomed and encouraged to stay for the parade festivities after they are finished with the race! For more race info or to register to run, please visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harrisburg/LuckyCharm5k10k.
Parking & Parade Route
Free metered street parking is available for four hours on Saturday by downloading the Parkmobile app using the code “LUVHBG” at checkout. Additionally, the Market Square parking garage (on Second and Chestnut streets) will be offering $10 event parking all day. Free parking is also available after 5 p.m. in the downtown district. Roads will be closed for the parade route starting at 9 a.m. on the East Shore, and the Market Street Bridge will be accessible only to parade participants by 11 a.m. on the West Shore entrance.
The Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade is made possible from generous community sponsors Cargill, Ace Distributing, Explore Harrisburg, Renewal by Andersen, Bourbon Street Saloon, JB Lovedraft’s MicroPub, Nocturnal, Fleet Feet, Café Fresco, The Brick Haus, McGrath’s Irish Pub, Zembie’s Sports Tavern, Arooga’s, Ross Productions, and Park Harrisburg.
For more information about the parade, please visit www.HarrisburgStPatricksDayParade.com. We can’t wait to see you downtown!
Special Brunch at Cafe Fresco
Cafe Fresco-Center City holds brunch only ONCE a year, and it's going to be on March 16 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the parade! Enjoy some delicious food and drinks right along the parade route on Second Street, right in the heart of the action!
