St. Patrick’s Day Parade; Party at Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle; Pitt vs. Western Michigan (Sat., 9/18/21)

1) If your neighborhood seems a little quiet this morning, it may be because over 200,000 Pittsburghers and visitors are downtown for The St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Having begun as early as 1869 and billed as one of the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, it includes bands, Irish organizations, Miss Smiling Irish Eyes, and just about every politician in Allegheny County.

Each year brings something slightly different, although who could forget the 1993 parade? It continued despite a blizzard, the worst that the city had seen in over 100 years. (Hopefully no snow this year. And it would be big news.) 

The parade begins at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street, proceeds to Grant Street, and turns right onto the Boulevard of the Allies. Then it marches down the Boulevard to the parade reviewing stand at Stanwix Street and ends at Commonwealth Place.

Remember, anyone who wants to be Irish—is Irish—on St. Paddy’s Day, or on Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day! Parade starts at 10 a.m. Downtown. (R.H., C.M.)

A group of friends having fun at the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade (photo: Rick Handler)

2) One of the most popular spots to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is Mullaney’s Harp & 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 and going until about midnight. Mullaney’s will be featuring the top bands on the Pittsburgh Irish music scene including: Mark Guiser, Donnie Irish Band, Whiskey Limerick, Skipper O’ Johnson Band, and Guaranteed Irish. The pub will open at 8 a.m. for breakfast and will be serving food all day long. 2329 Penn Ave., Strip District. (R.H.)

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett in action against Virginia Tech in 2020. (photo: Pitt Athletics)

3) With wins over UMass and Tennessee, Pitt Football is now 2-0. Today they will try and run their win total to 3-0 with a home game against Western Michigan University, from the great town of Kalamazoo. Pitt had a big win last week beating Tennessee by the score of 41-34. Next up for Pitt is New Hampshire at home on September 25. Noon. Heinz Field. 100 Art Rooney Ave.

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