Phoenix is gearing up for a day of green and gold as the 41st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire is set to kick off on March 16th, painting the town emerald with its festive spirit, organizers confirmed.
"We're going into our 41st year of hosting a parade and fair here in Phoenix. You know, our whole committee is [made of volunteers] … a lot of love and passion goes in into this every year," Jeff Aspland, President of the Parade and Faire, told ABC15. "We really tried to make an event that's for everyone. So, kids 12 And under are free to get into the faire and the parade is a great time for the whole family."
The parade, a highlight for many, will commence at 10 a.m. starting at Oak St. and will move south on 3rd St. to the Faire at Margaret T. Hance Park. Revelers can expect the usual show of lively Irish dancers, captivating Irish music, and the not-to-be-missed traditional meals such as corned beef and cabbage. For those looking to enjoy the festivities earlier, tickets for the Faire can be snapped up online prior to the event, according to details published by Visit Phoenix.
This year's celebration will include, a variety of food options from Arizona local vendors, and drinks flowing from the array of pubs hosting Irish Beer and Buskers Irish Whiskey. And for the folks interested in going beyond the beer, the Arizona History Walk will display the rich Irish history within the state. "Some of our new attractions are the Arizona History Walk where you can see the Irish history in Arizona. And one of the things that we were able to combine back is having the Irish Cultural Center included inside the fencing." Aspland remarked, emphasizing the convenience for attendees this year.
These festivities not only serve as a nod to those from the Emerald Isle but also encapsulate the contributions and shared culture of the Irish community in Arizona. The Irish Faire at Margaret T. Hance Park [1202 N 3rd St] in Phoenix is an open invite, promising an all-encompassing experience from the search through genealogy at the McClelland Library to tapping feet to traditional Irish reels. To get the full scoop on the best this March has to offer, including the St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire, be sure to check out the video featured at the 12-minute mark in ABC15's coverage of the Valley's top events.
