Join us for one of St. Paul’s favorite traditions, The St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Following tradition, this year’s parade will be held on March 16th due to St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) landing on a Sunday, a Holy Day. The parade will begin at Rice Park and end at Mears Park, the original route walked in 1967.
Since 1967, the St. Patrick’s Association has been the organization behind the greatest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the nation, hosted in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Not only does our 100% volunteer group sponsor and coordinate the parade each year, but we also strive to donate at least $10,000 annually to local charities.
Most of our planning and fundraising is done during the six weeks leading up to Saint Patrick’s Day. But, we have a year-round presence serving our community. Whether cleaning up a park on Earth Day, volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House, or spreading cheer during the summer parades, you will undoubtedly see us sporting our green throughout the Twin Cities!
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How the St. Patrick’s Association Started
This spirited tribute to St. Paul’s Irish community began in 1967 at Gallivan’s restaurant and bar. “It was a bitter cold day during the Winter Carnival,” says Bob Gallivan. Some of his pals stopped by to get out of the cold and have a drink. “Let’s have a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade,” Gallivan remembers saying, “before we get too old.” Word spread and the planning began. Judge Edward Devitt who had marched every year –”It’s a sin to miss it”—was part of that first committee. “This is a natural center for a St. Patrick’s Day parade because there are so many Irish.”
All of the parades have been a rousing success. Even that first one, whipped into shape in just two months, drew crowds six deep on the side walks. The marchers, lead by Mayor Thomas Byrne, carrying a shillelagh, left the Hilton hotel (now the Radisson) at noon and proceeded down Kellogg Blvd. to the St. Paul Hotel. The last unit crossed the finish line at 12:40.
Tucked in among the family units and the dignitaries were the Brian Boru Irish pipe band, the St. Patrick honor guard, even the Vulcans, who wrapped their fire truck in green crepe paper for the occasion.
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But the focus of the parade has always been on the family groups. According to Stewart Loper, Treasurer of the Saint Patrick’s Association which sponsors the parade activities, the sentiment is that we want the families and kids to participate.” Loper calls it “a baby buggy parade. And we work hard to keep it that way.”
As a result, motorized vehicles are kept to a minimum. There’s a float for Ms. Shamrock and a car for the celebrity Grand Marshal.
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The tradition of the crowning a local Irish lass Ms. Shamrock began with that first parade – Agnes Sullivan was the lucky lady. William J. Hickey was the first Mr. Pat, an honor extended to the man of Irish descent who as contributed the most to life in St. Paul.
There are other traditions initiated in 1967 that remain part of the festivities – the swath of emerald paint down the center of the parade route, for instance. And the six weeks of button blitzing that the Miss Shamrocks and the Blarney Brothers perform to raise money for the parade and charities.
Gilded Age Mansion Tours: Wealthy Families & their Homes!
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Minneapolis Trolley Tours: Once upon a time, soaring towers of wealth were built to celebrate success. Minneapolis was born in, and of, this time, and this astonishing trolley tour marvels at these Minneapolis mansions from the outside, and from the inside. If you love looking at the architecture, woodwork and furniture of old mansions, this is the thing to do in Minneapolis for you. This is a two hour tour.
Baptism River High Falls is the tallest waterfall that’s entirely within the State’s borders, and when frozen solid, it’s a popular destination for ice climbers.
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Minnesota winters tend to be a little longer than those in most other states. That means outdoor enthusiasts like us must embrace colder weather if they don’t want to be stuck inside for a good chunk of the year. Fortunately, the Land of 10,000 (occasionally frozen) Lakes offers outdoor lovers plenty to do during all 12 months – and most of our state parks are on board for around-the-calendar recreation, as well. One of the state’s premier recreational units, Tettegouche State Park is even open for winter camping in Minnesota, making it the perfect destination for year-round adventures.
Tettegouche is one of the most popular destination parks in Minnesota, attracting folks from across the Midwest.
The Baptism River Campground is even open during the winter, and unlike many parks, Tettegouche offers water, electric, firewood, and even showers during the winter.
You can rent equipment, get advice on winter activities – including winter camping seminars – and take a minute to warm up at the park’s lodge-like visitor center.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum offers multiple opportunities to see the full moon throughout the year! Visit the grounds on the following dates to marvel at the moon and learn more from experts in the field.
February Full Snow Moon: Marvel at the beauty of the full moon during this after-hours snowshoe hike! February’s full moon is known as the Snow Moon due to the heavy snowfall that typically occurs in this season. Before embarking on your moonlit trek, swing by the MacMillan Auditorium for a presentation by Dr. Brian Smoliak with Weathervane Labs on snowfall in Minnesota. Afterward, warm up and roast a marshmallow over the fire with friends.
March Full Worm Moon: In late spring as weather conditions slowly warm, earthworms begin to appear at the soil surface, lending this month’s full moon its evocative name. March weather can still be chilly, so warm up around a bonfire after your hike.
The Big Turn Music Fest is a 2-day city-wide event that builds community through music in historic downtown Red Wing, Minnesota
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Big Turn Music Fest: Join us as we discover and explore top up-and-coming musicians from around the area and midwest region. Pack up your parka, logbook and take your stomping boots along as you navigate from underground taverns to chapels braving the outdoors and music genres along the way. Mark your calendar and get ready for a truly unique expedition.
The name Big Turn is a reference to the sharp bend the Mississippi river takes as it flows through Red Wing. Come explore 16 historic downtown buildings as you “Experience Red Wing Through Music.”
A weekend that’s full of sights and sounds in the middle of February. This is a place of music and community and we just hope you packed a pair of stomping boots for your trip. This is the Big Turn Music Fest.
Spring Flower Show: Immerse yourself in a celebration of vibrant color, rich textures, enchanting fragrance and lush, green floral vignettes while learning about the Arboretum’s incredible gardens, interesting history and architecture and specialty collections. Plus, don’t miss special events throughout the show, including the Opening Night celebration and After Hours with the Flowers Date Nights.
