What time is the Worcester St. Patricks parade 2022?

REPORT:ER IT WAS MUSIC TO THE YEARS OF WORCESTER COUNTY THAT HASN’T HAD A PARADE LIKE THIS SINCE MARCH OF 2019, SOT, GREAT CROWD SUNSHINE COLD BUT SO FUN TO HAVE THE PARADE BKAC REPORTER: SOME FIRST TIMERS WEREN’T EVEN BORN ENWH WORCESTER ST PATRICK’S PARADEAS W CANCELLED DUE TO COVID JUST DAYS BEFORE IT WAS SET TO ROLL IN 2020. >> PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO GET OUT SEE EACHOTHER AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. >> PEOPLE CAME OUT. >> WE WERE CLOSED FOR SO LONG AND SO MANY PEOPLE CAME OUT. REPORTER: TURNOUTAS W IMPRESSIVE. THE 2 AND HALF MILE PARADE WAS 4 PEOPLE DEEP IN SOME SPOTS. WITH PLENTY OFRE GEN. ORGANIZERS ESTIMATING MORE THAN 5000 PEOPLE STOOD IN FRIDGI TEMPERATURES BUT THERE WAS NO COMPLAINING. >> 100 ENTRIES FROM IRISH STEP DANCERS TO BIG GUYS ON SMALL BIKES KEPT CROWDS ENTERTAINED FOR A THREE HOURS. THE THEME WAS TO HONOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN WORCESTER COUNTY THAT DID SO MUCH FOR THE PUBLIC DURING COVID. >> IT’S GREAT TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT HERE. IT’S GOOD TO SEE THE CITY COME BACK TO LIFE. REPORTER: ORGIZANERS ARE CHALLENGING THE ORGANIZERS IN BOSTON TO SEE HOW BIG THEIR

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Thousands attend first Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade in 3 years

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Updated: 6:42 PM EDT Mar 13, 2022

Ted Wayman

Reporter

Worcester city officials estimate 5,000 people stood in cold temperatures on Sunday to watch the Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade, the first held in three years.The crowd lining the 2.5-mile parade route down Park Avenue was four people deep in some spots.Officials said there were 100 entries in this year's parade, from bagpipe players to Irish step dancers.The Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade was last held in March 2019 after it was called off due to COVID-19 concerns in each of the past two years.The parade celebrated its 40th anniversary and this year's theme was about honoring first responders and community leaders who helped the county through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses from Saint Vincent Hospital were among those who marched in the parade.Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus and Dr. Michael Hirsh, the city of Worcester's medical director, were named the co-grand marshals of this year's St. Patrick's Parade.This past September, organizers of South Boston's iconic St. Patrick's Day Parade announced that their event will be held on March 20. The South Boston parade was also canceled in each of the past two years due to COVID-19 concerns.

WORCESTER - The 40th annual Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade is two weeks away and area residents can get an early look at the parade program.

The parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 13 at 12 PM.

The program includes the parade lineup, a message from parade chairman Mary Ellen Murphy, bios of this year's parade grand marshals, Dr. Michael Hirsh and City Manager Edward Augustus, bios of the co-mayors of the parade, Meghan McGuirk McDonald and David Domenick, a parade route map and the criteria for the Best Crowd award.

This year's parade theme is honoring first responders and essential workers.

The parade starts on Park Avenue at the corner of Mill Street and ends roughly two miles away at the corner of Park Avenue and Highland Street.

By Spectrum News Staff Worcester

UPDATED 10:45 AM ET Mar. 13, 2022 PUBLISHED 4:08 PM ET Mar. 12, 2022 PUBLISHED 4:08 PM EST Mar. 12, 2022

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WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Police Department is preparing for the annual Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade Sunday and the Guinness Celtic 5K road race which takes place just before the parade.

There will be detours to accommodate both events. Police ask drivers to avoid Park Avenue from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and use Mill Street and Main Street instead. Parts of Park Avenue and Elm Street will be closed throughout the day. Police will also be positioned along the parade route to focus on the crowds and make sure everyone stays safe.

After twice being canceled because of COVID-19, the Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade returns Sunday to Park Avenue.

The parade, first held in 1983, is expected to make a grand return. Organizers say they have a full lineup of marchers and are expecting big crowds.

Here's what you need to know about the parade:

When

The parade steps off at noon Sunday, March 13. (The Worcester parade is typically held the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day.)

Where

The route begins in Webster Square, at Park Avenue and Mill Street, and heads north on Park Avenue for about two miles, ending at Elm Park at Highland Street. 

How long?

Parade-goers can expect it to take about two hours for the parade to pass their vantage point. There are nearly 100 entries in this year's parade, from high school bands, to youth groups, to politicians and would-be politicians.

Where to park

Side streets to the east and west of Park Avenue are an option, depending on which direction you're coming from. Don't get caught on the wrong side of Park Avenue if you plan to leave before the parade is over.

Doherty High School is usually a good choice, but the lots are not available to parade-goers this year because of school construction.

Automobile access to Park Avenue business will be cut off in the hours before the parade. Many businesses limit parking to customers and-or friends who plan to make a day of it.

Organizers recommend carpooling. 

Where to watch

Park Avenue is lined with sidewalks on both sides, so getting a good vantage point is not too difficult. Of course, finding a gap is easier if you arrive early.

Tip: The closer you are to a bar, the more packed you'll find the sidewalk. It's up to you to determine if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

More:City License Commission puts portable restroom request front and center for Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade

The grand marshals

Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city medical director, and City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. will be recognized for their work on COVID-19 issues. It is one of the rare times that two people will share the title of grand marshal. Past parade grand marshals include Bishop Timothy Harrington, Sheriff John "Mike" Flynn, Ralph "Bud" Sargent, Charles Monahan and Maureen Binienda.

The parade also has a mayor. Actually, there are two: David Domenick of Compass Tavern and Meghan McGuirk McDonald of Fiddlers' Green.

Essential workers

Organizers have dedicated this year's parade to essential workers, inviting them to march in this year's parade. An open invitation was made to health care workers, food service workers, municipal employees and transportation workers.

“We’re talking from the janitor, the person who did the laundry, cooks, everybody…nurses, doctors, DPW (workers), policemen, EMS,” parade Chairwoman Mary Ellen Murphy said. “You name it. They all helped.”

Parade Awards

From Best Float to Best Band, participants are recognized for their efforts. Organizers hand out accolades after the parade, with a formal awards ceremony slated for March 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

More:Park Ave. primer: Our guide to every restaurant and bar along Sunday's Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade route

And don't forget the Best Crowd Contest. Organizers pay tribute to the many people who line the route, with awards going to Best Crowd (business) and Best Crowd (non-business). Crowds are judged on spirit, enthusiasm, best use of color green and promoting a family atmosphere.

Food trucks

The large parking lot at Austin Liquors, 370 Park Ave., will be filled with food trucks during the parade.

Road Race and post-race parties

Running, not marching, is the preferred pace the morning of the St. Patrick's Parade. The Guinness Celtic 5K road race begins at 11 a.m., with the starting and finish lines at Elm Park at Highland Street and Park Avenue.  

Organizers have put together a long list of post-race gatherings: O’Connor’s Rest, 1160 W. Boylston St.; Golden Pockets, 11 Kelley Square; Funky Murphy’s, 301 Shrewsbury St.; Banner Bar & Grill, 112 Green St.; Compass Tavern, 90 Harding St.; Leitrim’s Pub, 265 Park Ave.; Suney’s Pub, 216 Chandler St.; Loft 266, 244-266 Park Ave.; Husky’s, 413 Park Ave.; One Eyed Jack’s, 433 Park Ave.; Galway Bay, 186 Stafford St.; Moynihan Tavern, 897 Main St.; Rock Bar, 81 Water St.; Park Grill, 257 Park Ave.; Union Tavern, 65 Green St.; Fiddler's Green, 19 Temple St.; McDonald’s Tavern at Worcester Fitness, 440 Grove St.; Oak Barrel Tavern, 229 Grove St.; and Quinn’s Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St.

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