5 things to know about the St. Patrick's Day parade in Pittsburgh
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade strolls through Downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday and Miss Smiling Irish Eyes — Melanie Grace Rayl of Mt. Lebanon — most likely won’t be the only one grinning.
The weather forecast looks favorable, so marchers won’t have to worry about any blizzards like the one in 1993.
“Saturday will feature mostly cloudy skies through the day,” said meteorologist Brian Hutton Jr. of TribLive media partner WTAE-TV. “When the parade steps off at 10 a.m., temperatures will be about 60 (degrees). There is the chance of a shower at any point during the parade, but the best chance for rain on Saturday right now looks to arrive after the parade comes to an end. Temperatures will be in the middle 60s by noon.”
History
The parade began more than 150 years ago as a way to honor the patron saint of Ireland and has evolved into a citywide celebration held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day — unless March 17 falls on a Saturday.
Pittsburgh’s parade is one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, according to the organizers. Western Pennsylvania has a large Irish population — but on St. Patrick’s Day and parade day, everyone feels a little bit Irish.
Time and place
The event starts at 10 a.m. and is expected to last about three hours.
The parade route is 1.4 miles and typically attracts from 200,000 to 350,000 spectators. It begins at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street, then continues to Grant Street, where it turns right onto the Boulevard of the Allies. From there, the parade proceeds to the reviewing stand at Stanwix Street. It ends at Commonwealth Place.
There will be approximately 20,000 participants, including Irish step dancers, marching bands, military members, community organizations and Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and her court, Reece Maggie Flowers and Elizabeth Rose Fitzgerald Sweeney.
Before the parade begins, there is an 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s in the Strip District. Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik is expected to celebrate the Mass and bless the parade.
Getting around
Parking and getting to the parade route could be challenging.
The Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash is new this year and starts prior to the parade. It will bring more than 2,500 runners and walkers for a 5K race beginning at 8:25 a.m. and 1-mile family fun run at 8 a.m. P3R is hosting the race, which starts and finishes near the intersection of the Boulevard of the Allies and Stanwix Street, not far from the parade’s finish spot.
Road closures for the race begin at 7 a.m. Streets impacted are Boulevard of the Allies, Fourth Avenue, Forbes Avenue, Smithfield Street and Grant Street.
The parade begins not far from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show is having its final weekend. It is best to avoid Liberty Avenue and 11th Street because that is where parade participants will be staged. Most of that area will be closed to traffic by 7:30 a.m.
Street parking will be heavily restricted along the route and close to it. Visit the Pittsburgh Parking Authority’s website for a list of Downtown lots and garages and their rates. There are also options for additional parking on the North Shore and Station Square on the South Side, which both have access to Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s light-rail system. Schedules for bus and T-service will have detours Downtown. Most bus routes are usually back to regular schedules by 3 p.m.
It is also the second weekend of The Thaw, a new event presented by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Flyspace Productions designed to celebrate the changing seasons and Pittsburgh’s arts and culture scene.
Happening later in the day, this weekend’s theme for The Thaw is appropriately titled Shamrock & Roll and will celebrate Irish culture and music in Market Square. There will be local Irish bands, Irish whiskey tastings, an authentic “Pub on the Square,” and a pop-up cocktail lounge. The Low Kings will perform from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Details: downtownpittsburgh.com
Grand marshal
The Irish Society for Education and Charity Inc. names a parade grand marshal of the parade — someone who is a dedicated member of the Pittsburgh Irish community. This year, it’s Jeff “Mac” McCafferty.
McCafferty, a member of the board at the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, served on the parade committee for more than three decades. He is a member of the Knights of Equity and the Ancient Order of Hibernians — both Catholic fraternal associations that work toward the preservation and representation of Irish culture within America and internationally.
Dining
Several Downtown establishments will be serving up food and drink specials. The Commoner on William Penn Place is offering a brunch and Irish coffee bar. Executive chef Dave Racicot will be adding Irish-inspired classics to his regular brunch menu such as a traditional corned brisket hash with house-smoked corned beef brisket, roasted savoy cabbage, fried potatoes and a sunny side up egg; and a reuben tartine with house-smoked corned beef, secret sauce, pickled cabbage and a fried egg. Reservations are recommended.
Ritual House in the Union Trust Building will feature dishes from executive chef Edwin Smith of slow-roasting corned beef with classic seasonings paired with stewed cabbage. Cocktails include the Mint Boy, which is chocolate whiskey, creme de menthe, dirty chocolate creme liqueur, and half and half; and the Jame-O Ginger Smash, made with Jameson Irish whiskey, ginger, lemon, soda and candied ginger.
Details: pittsburghstpatricksdayparade.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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