P arade
FAQS
HOW ARE THE UPCOMING ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE DATES DETERMINED?
It is always on a Saturday in March and always begins promptly at 10 a.m.
Generally, our parade is the Saturday prior to St. Patrick’s Day. However, that
changes depending on when “the day” actually is. We also try to plan the
date so that there is enough space between Mardi Gras and this event.
WILL THE PARADE ORGANIZERS EVER EXTEND OR CHANGE THE ROUTE?
Currently, there are no plans to extend the parade route. However, we get
requests from Perkins Road businesses to do so each year. We love the route
winding through several neighborhoods and business districts, and we cannot
imagine the parade anywhere else in town.
HAS THE PARADE EVER BEEN CANCELLED? No. We’ve endured bitter
cold and rain but never enough to cancel or postpone.
HOW CAN I JOIN THE PARADE? If you want to get on the list to be in the
parade next year, visit our website to signup for our newsletter. That is how we
communicate with our Krewes. Make sure you can receive email from us this
way. You’d be amazed how many people sign up only to have the newsletter
and run information.
IF I’M NOT IN TOWN, HOW
CAN I WATCH THE PARADE
ONLINE? Currently, the parade
is broadcast LIVE on WBRZ-TV
Channel 2. It is also streamed
on WBRZ.com. WBRZ-TV also
rebroadcasts the parade several
times in the weeks after the parade.
Check local listings in the greater
Baton Rouge area for the schedule.
There is also a link on our website,
www.wearinofthegreen.com.
Can I buy Official Parade
Items? Yes. Visit our website
www.wearinofthegreen.com/store
to purchase limited edition
DOES THE CITY PUT THE PARADE
ON? No. The parade is organized and
run by The Parade Group, LLC. We
agencies and departments in the city.
What should we wear? If you want
green. You’ll see many people
in fun, silly St. Patrick’s Day
costumes… some leprechauns, girls
in green tutus, and we’ve even seen
Gumby there. Dress comfortably.
Get the weather forecast the
night before. In Louisiana, we can
experience any of the four season’s
if you are coming from out-of-town.
What is the theme for this
year’s parade? There is only one
theme every year: celebrating
St. Patrick, the patron Saint of
Ireland. We want it all to be
lighthearted, good-natured fun.
HOW MANY GRAND MARSHALS
FROM IRELAND HAVE THERE BEEN?
There have been nine. Mark Kelly
(2001); Ivar Quigley (2002); Denis
Coffey (2004); Junior Finnegan
(2005); Mike Rosney (2007); Dick
Bourke (2009); Michael Leahy
(2010) Timothy O’Brien (2012) and
Father Mike Moroney (2019).
What has changed over the years? Plenty has changed. The route
changed. The start time changed. Television coverage has changed. Parade
organizers have changed. What hasn’t changed it that it is a family event and
full of merriment.
What are throws? Southern
crowds love to be loved by the
Krewes and the way this is done is
by tossing cups, bead necklaces,
stuffed animals and other toy-type
parade watchers.
What makes the St. Pat’s
Parade in Baton Rouge
different than other parades?
It is the fun, family atmosphere.
It is a day when everyone is
“Irish” just because they are
wearing green. It is a truly
southern parade that you won’t
WHO CHOOSES THE GRAND MARSHAL? Since 1986, Pat Shingleton
has chosen Grand Marshals. Although the Parade Group Board now
56 wearinofthegreen.com
/WBRZ.com
/www.wearinofthegreen.com
/store
/wearinofthegreen.com