HUNTSVILLE – There will be more than 90 of the cutest clovers in the patch, including St. Patrick himself, riding and marching in the Ellen McAnelly Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade this weekend.
In its 46th year, the parade, organized by the Irish Society of North Alabama begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in downtown Huntsville.
Participants include specialty car groups, birthday celebrations, local companies and organizations, a band, horses, floats, pirates, firetrucks, and the lucky Leprechaun on a Trike who has been in every parade since 1979.
The Huntsville Fire and Rescue Pipe Band will make its debut leading the parade with several VIP guests including Grand Marshal Máirtín Ó Muilleoir of Belfast, Northern Ireland; Parade Queen Abby Amis; Connacht Princess Katelyn Bray; Leinster Princess Brenna Murphy; Ulster Princess Elena Aiello; and Munster Princesses Alice Handley and Kalina Murray.
“Last year was our first parade since 2019 and although it was very cold, it was a great success,” said Lisa Bollinger, parade director. “It felt good to bring back one of Huntsville’s largest parades.
“We are thrilled to honor Ellen McAnelly, the parade’s founder, with a celebration of the Irish, and those who are Irish for the day.”
The official family-friendly after parade party takes place at Straight to Ale Brewing at Campus 805 with live music, games, drinks and food specials.
Parade Route
There is a new parade route this year and it will not loop; Huntsville shuttles will provide rides back to the route starting point, if needed.
The parade begins at Lot K on the corner of Woodson Street and Holmes Avenue and runs through downtown Huntsville.
The parade stops briefly at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church on Jefferson Street for the annual blessing of the parade and presentation of the Irish and American flags.
The parade heads south on Jefferson Street around Southside Square and north on Washington Street to Meridian Street, ending in the parking lot at the corner of Meridian and Cleveland Streets near the old Lumberyard.
The parade route will close to traffic at 10 a.m. Saturday. Woodson Street between Clinton and Holmes may close earlier than 10 a.m., if necessary.
Click here to download a Parade Spectator Guide that includes a map of the route and parking information.
Click here for an interactive parade route.
In the words of an old Irish blessing – “May your clovers have leaves of four and your luck last forevermore!”
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