CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte is about to get a whole lot greener this weekend as the city gears up for its highly anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Saturday.
Whether you’re looking to catch a spirited parade, enjoy tasty bites, or run in a festive 7K, there’s something for everyone in the Queen City this weekend.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off the festivities at 11 a.m. on N Tryon St., running all the way to E 3rd St., and is expected to wrap up by 1 p.m. Saturday.
With marching bands, some festive floats, and plenty of green to go around, you can expect the streets to be filled with excitement and energy.
The parade will start at N Tryon St. and W 9th St., then proceed down Tryon to E 3rd St. But if you’re planning to catch a good spot, be prepared for road closures. N Tryon between 9th St. and E 13th St. will close at 8:30 a.m., with all cross streets shutting down by 10 a.m.
Expect huge crowds, with over 100,000 people anticipated to line the streets.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival
The Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The festival will feature a wide variety of food and craft vendors, as well as plenty of kid-friendly activities.
For those planning to visit, be aware that the following streets will be closed starting at 5:30 a.m., reopening later at 8 p.m.:
- Tryon Street (from Brooklyn Village Avenue to 3rd Street)
- 3rd Street (from College Street to Church Street)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (from College Street to Church Street)
- Levine Avenue of the Arts (from Tryon Street to Church Street)
Organizers are expecting 25,000 festival-goers to join in the festivities. If you’re looking to learn more, head to the event’s official website for all the details: Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
Lucky Day 7K Run
And if you want to kick off the day with some exercise, don’t miss the Lucky Day 7K Run at Brixham Park, starting at 8 a.m. and wrapping up by 9:30 a.m. The route will take runners through Ballantyne Corporate Place and Upper Ave, all while celebrating the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Expect about 800 participants, so if you’re not racing, be sure to cheer them on! For more details, check out the registration site here: Lucky Day 7K Run.
