The 43rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, 34th Annual Michelob Ultra St. Patrick's Day Run will Take Place Saturday, March 17
The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Louis will take place on Saturday, March 17. Leading the 43rd annual parade will be parade founder and St. Louis Irish Consul Joseph McGlynn, Jr.; Parade Committee Chairperson Susan Morton; Irish Guest of Honor Senator Mark Daly, member of the Irish Parliament; Honorary Parade Marshal Robert O’Loughlin, chairman and CEO of Lodging Hospitality Management; Mayor Francis Slay; County Executive Charlie Dooley; and other dignitaries.
The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. from 18th and Market Streets and proceeds east on Market to Broadway and then south on Broadway where it will disband. Market Street will be closed at 7:30 a.m. from Compton to Broadway. Parade units will stage starting at 7:30 a.m. from Compton to 18th Street.
The parade, also known as St. Louis’ "Rite of Spring," will feature over 120 units, including bands, large helium-filled balloons, and over 5,000 marchers.
A Marine color guard from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment based in St. Louis will lead the parade. In the past with good weather, more than 350,000 spectators have gathered along Market Street to watch the elaborate floats, marching bands, marching units, dance groups, animal units, novelty units, and motorized units.
The children's favorites – giant cartoon character helium-filled balloons – will be featured in the parade. Each balloon will have its own team of handlers, usually employees of the corporate sponsor of the balloon in question.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Run add one
McGlynn noted the support the run has received over the years from Anheuser-Busch, “From the very first run 34 years ago, Anheuser-Busch was there supporting our efforts.” The 34th Annual Michelob ULTRA St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run will precede the parade at 9:00 a.m. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run is St. Louis’ largest locally organized run. It covers a five mile course which will begin on Broadway just south of the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark hotel (Broadway between Walnut and Clark Streets) and conclude at 8th and Market Streets.
Over 13,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers of all ages participated in the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Run. There are 13 different age categories for both male and female competitive runners, ranging in age from under14 to 70-plus years. Prizes will be awarded in age categories for both men and women, including “14 and under” and “70 and over.”
Runners may register online, by mail, or in person. All runners will be issued timing chips affixed to their bib numbers. The chips are disposable and do not need to be returned. Wearing the chip is the choice of the runner, but only those top finishers with chip recorded times will be eligible for prizes. Runners must register by early March to receive a timing chip. The distinction of “competitive” and “non-competitive” categories has been eliminated. Past top finishers will be issued special bib numbers so they can start closer to the front of the pack.
The fastest and least expensive way to register is online at www.StPatsRun.com. The cost is $26.56 including online fee through February 29th. March 1st through the 16th online registration is $27.00 (plus online fees). Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. on March 16th and no timing chips issued after March 11th. Runners can also enter in person (the week of the run) at any of our five in-person registration spots: Hilton St. Louis@The Ballpark, Big River Running’s West St. County, South City and O’Fallon, MO locations from March 12 through March 15 and Toolen’s Running Start in Shiloh, IL, March 16 only for $30. Note walk-ins receive a bib number and T-shirt while available. Consult www.StPatsRun.com for addresses and hours of operation.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Run add two
No chips will be given to those registering after March 11. Mail registration forms should be mailed to St. Pat’s Run, c/o BRRM, PO Box 240135, Ballwin, MO 63024 and received by March 10th along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for $32 per runner. Runners can also register on the day of the run from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. at Runner’s Village, Walnut and Broadway. No timing chips will be distributed to Day-of registrants.
For more information visit www.StPatsRun.com or call: (314) 231-2598.
Immediately east of the finish line on Market, runners can enjoy the Michelob ULTRA Runners Village in Kiener Plaza across Market from the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark hotel where they will receive water, energy drink, and a sample of Michelob ULTRA for all registered finishers 21-years or older. The runners can then access the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Irish Village at the East side of Kiener Plaza. The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark is the official hotel of the St. Patrick’s Day Run and Parade. For information on special St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Run room packages, visit the hotel’s “Hotel Specials” page of its website WWW.HILTONSTLOUIS.COM or call 314-421-1776.
The Hilton St. Louis Irish Village at Kiener Plaza opens at 9:00 a.m. on Parade Day and closes at 4 p.m. The Irish Village will feature a Main Stage and food and beverage booths provided by the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark..
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Michelob Ultra St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run celebration kicks off Friday night, March 16 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, 1 South Broadway, with cocktails and dinner. For further information, call 314-241-PATS or visit our website at www.irishparade.org.
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