|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2023 |
Contact: John Hyatt
email: ICSCMedia317@gmail.com www.StPatsParade.org |
41st Annual San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade
and Irish Festival Saturday, March 11
SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival will be held on Saturday, March 11th, 2023, 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 “Celtic Culture, Commerce, and Community” which will highlight three important aspects of the Irish community in San Diego. “There are a lot of people of Irish descent here in San Diego,” said 2023 Parade Chair Sean Walsh. “I really wanted to recognize how integrated into San Diego the Irish community is. We have a lot of businesses, and the community is very active to share Irish culture and heritage.”
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. Full entertainment line-ups of Irish music and dance will be available on two festival stages beginning after the parade. 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 $5 entry fee and active duty military who show their I.D. cards will get in free.
The 2023 San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Dignitaries and Honorees are:
This year’s parade theme is “Celtic Culture, Commerce, and Community” which will highlight three important aspects of the Irish community in San Diego. “There are a lot of people of Irish descent here in San Diego,” said 2023 Parade Chair Sean Walsh. “I really wanted to recognize how integrated into San Diego the Irish community is. We have a lot of businesses, and the community is very active to share Irish culture and heritage.”
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. Full entertainment line-ups of Irish music and dance will be available on two festival stages beginning after the parade. 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 $5 entry fee and active duty military who show their I.D. cards will get in free.
The 2023 San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Dignitaries and Honorees are:
Consul General of Ireland, L.A: |
Marcella Smyth |
Executive Grand Marshall: |
Patrick O’Toole, Honorary Irish Consul, San Diego |
Grand Marshall: |
Mick Ward, The Ould Sod |
Irish Woman of the Year: |
Mary Margaret Rochford, Irish Outreach |
Irish Man of the Year: |
Daniel Drayne, The Field Irish Pub |
SD Man of the Year: |
Mike Murphy, Diago – Guinness USA |
SD Woman of the Year: |
Linda O’Connell, Junior Achievement of San Diego County |
Organization of the Year: |
Irish You a Merry Christmas |
Distinguished Irish Guests: |
John and Angela Byrne |
Smilin’ Irishman 2023: |
David Scott, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick |
Miss Colleen San Diego: |
TBD (Feb 25) |
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, and the Government of
Ireland, and our sponsors bid you “cead mile failte” – a hundred thousand welcomes.
For more information about the parade, please visit www.stpatsparade.org and Facebook & Instagram: @stpatsparadesd.
Additional photos available upon request or on our website.