St. Pats’ Parade Saturday

Downtown Washington Inc. officials are hoping for big crowds this Saturday for its St. Pat’s Day Parade.

After rain showers last weekend forced them to postpone the event, organizers are keeping their fingers crossed for better weather.

“We feel like the weather gods owe us,” said Aimee Frey, event coordinator. “We have decided the parade will go on, rain or shine.”

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Main and Cedar streets parking lot. The route will be the same as the Holiday Parade of Lights.

The parade will travel south on Cedar to Fifth Street; east on Fifth to Elm Street; north on Elm to Second Street; east on Second to Jefferson Street; north on Jefferson to Main Street; and then west on Main, ending at the Main and Cedar parking lots.

The start time of the Downtown Washington parade has been pushed up from last weekend, Frey said, so people who want to attend this one and the St. Louis parade will be able to do so.

Frey encourages residents to get their green on and come out to watch the parade.

“We’re excited about the entries and hope by moving this parade to a weekend, we’ll draw many more spectators,” she said.

The parade lineup will include the Blue Jay mascot, antique fire trucks and cars, McGruff the Crime Dog, several floats, walking groups, decorated vehicles, violinists and a dog walking group.