Press Release
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2024 |
42nd Annual San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade
and Irish Festival Saturday, March 16
SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival will be held on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, with activities and festivities from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sixth and Laurel in Balboa Park. Rain or shine!
This year’s parade theme is “Unity with Peace in Ireland and Beyond,” recognizing the many daunting challenges people around the world face finding a home filled with love and goodwill rather than fear and violence. “It is in that spirit that we will come together in our little corner of the globe to celebrate this day of the Irish,” said parade and festival chair Tim Riley. “And the continued efforts of so many people to promote peace there, and around the world.”
The Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at 5th and Laurel then proceed north to Upas, east to 6th and south to Laurel Street. The parade will have nearly 100 entries including marching bands, military, fire fighters, law enforcement, Irish community groups and businesses, volunteer organizations, and more.
The festival will run along 6th Ave from Laurel to Nutmeg from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival will host a variety of vendors, food, and information booths to shop and engage with. The festival area will also feature food, information booths and vendors, and be an exciting place to meet friends and show your green. Adults 21 over will have a small $10 entry fee; under 21 and active duty military with I.D. will get in free.
Full entertainment line-ups of Irish music and dance will be available on two festival stages beginning after the parade. Our Main Stage festival lineup includes rollicking live music from local bands:
The 2024 San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Dignitaries and Honorees are:
This year’s parade theme is “Unity with Peace in Ireland and Beyond,” recognizing the many daunting challenges people around the world face finding a home filled with love and goodwill rather than fear and violence. “It is in that spirit that we will come together in our little corner of the globe to celebrate this day of the Irish,” said parade and festival chair Tim Riley. “And the continued efforts of so many people to promote peace there, and around the world.”
The Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at 5th and Laurel then proceed north to Upas, east to 6th and south to Laurel Street. The parade will have nearly 100 entries including marching bands, military, fire fighters, law enforcement, Irish community groups and businesses, volunteer organizations, and more.
The festival will run along 6th Ave from Laurel to Nutmeg from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival will host a variety of vendors, food, and information booths to shop and engage with. The festival area will also feature food, information booths and vendors, and be an exciting place to meet friends and show your green. Adults 21 over will have a small $10 entry fee; under 21 and active duty military with I.D. will get in free.
Full entertainment line-ups of Irish music and dance will be available on two festival stages beginning after the parade. Our Main Stage festival lineup includes rollicking live music from local bands:
The 2024 San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Dignitaries and Honorees are:
Grand Marshal |
Ginny Doughton |
Posthumous Executive Grand Marshal |
Pat McIntyre |
Irish Man of the Year |
Pete Smith |
San Diego Man of the Year |
Frank O’Dwyer |
Irish Woman of the Year |
Kim Powers |
San Diego Woman of the Year |
Maureen Ostrich |
Organization of the Year Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial |
Sgt. Major, Neil O’Connell, Exec Director |
Organization of the Year My Lineage |
Anthony Carolan |
Distinguished Guests |
John & Angela Byrne |
Smilin’ Irishman |
Mark Hudson |
Miss Colleen |
Riley Pidgeon |
Miss Colleen Court |
Siobhan O’Shea |
Miss Colleen Court |
Brigid Powers |
ICSC Board Chair |
Sean Kelley |
ICSC President |
Sean Walsh |
Parade Chair |
Tim Riley |
The Irish Congress of Southern California (ICSC) was formed in 1981 to organize the parade and festival to promote appreciation and knowledge of Irish culture and heritage. Over its 40 plus year history, it has honored and celebrated partnerships with first responders, veterans and military, law enforcement, Indigenous Americans, and a variety of organizations which make up the wonderfully diverse community in the San Diego region.
The ICSC, presenting sponsor Guinness, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Government of Ireland, and our sponsors bid you “cead mile failte” – a hundred thousand welcomes.
The ICSC, presenting sponsor Guinness, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Government of Ireland, and our sponsors bid you “cead mile failte” – a hundred thousand welcomes.
- For interviews or news spots the week before the parade and at the event, contact John Hyatt.
- Media attending the event, park at Juniper between 5th and 6th avenues.
- For more information about the parade, please visit www.stpatsparade.org
- Additional photos are available upon request or on our website.