St. Patrick’s Day Parade; Parade Day Celebrations (Sat., 3/12/16)

1) If you’re neighborhood seems a little quiet this morning it may be because over 200,000 Pittsburghers and visitors are downtown today for The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Billed as the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Country, over 23,000 people will march in the parade including bands, Irish organizations, “Miss Smiling Irish Eyes” and every politician on the planet. The parade will proceed from the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street to Grant Street, then onto the Boulevard of the Allies, where it will turn right; then marches down the Boulevard of the Allies to the parade reviewing stand at Stanwix Street, ending at Commonwealth Place. Remember, anyone who wants to be Irish–is Irish–on St. Paddy’s Day! Parade starts at 10 a.m. Downtown.

2) One of the most happening spots to celebrate Parade Day (March 12) and St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle. With a tent connected to the Pub the celebration space is doubled. Irish bands and performers hold court all day and night in both spaces beginning at noon (they are open for breakfast on parade day) and going until after midnight. Performing bands include: Red Hand Paddy, Guaranteed Irish, Whiskey Limerick, Donnie Irish, and Tullycavey  2329 Penn Ave., Strip District.

3) St. Patrick’s Day is a  time to have a taste of Ireland’s native waters (Guinness, Harp and Murphy’s brews; Tullamore Dew and Jameson Irish Whiskies are a few good ones). Have an old Irish toast (“may you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows your dead”) in one of several happenin’ Irish pubs including Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, McArdles, Ryan’s Pub, and Claddagh.  For those who don’t imbibe or are designated drivers (thank you!) enjoy a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake, Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew or cup o’hot tea.

4)  Baja Bar and Grill will be jamming tonight as the band Nightlife performs some groovalicious dance and funk hits. Songs from Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, and Rick James could be played! 9 p.m. 1366 Old Freeport Rd., O’Hara Township.

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