Note: This event had been canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Experience a Detroit tradition – and try to avoid getting pinched – at the 62nd annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2020, in Corktown.
The family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day event, which is sponsored by the United Irish Societies, steps off at Sixth St. then heads down Michigan Ave. to 14th St. This year, the Grand Marshal of the parade is Peggy Sullivan Gray.
The celebration attracts thousands of people who come to see the horse-drawn carriages, clowns, floats, marching bands and live music. Spectators might even spot a green-dyed dog or two.
The day starts with a 9 a.m. mass at the Most Holy Trinity Church at 1050 Porter St. in Detroit followed by a luncheon, which will feature some delectable Irish treats, at the Most Holy Trinity school at 1229 LaBrosse. Mass will, of course, be free but there is a suggested donation of $8/person or $30/family for the luncheon.
After you eat, you can run off the corned beef and hash at the 38th annual Corktown Races before the parade kicks off. Dress in your best green garb and join the roughly 8,000 runners who participate in this event.
There’s a Kids Quarter Mile ($20) at 10:30 a.m., the Emerald Mile ($25) at 10:40 a.m. and the 5K ($40) at 11 a.m. Register for both the Emerald Mile and the 5K for just $50. Prizes go to race winners and the best dressed.
Returning this year, is the Family Fun Zone. It’s located on the northeast corner of Sixth St. and Michigan Ave. and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bring kids by to get them in St. Paddy’s Day spirit with live Irish entertainment, Irish step dancing lessons, face painting, clowns inflatables and more.
The parade start time is 1 p.m., but the line-up will start forming at 11:30 a.m. – and don’t forget to wear green! The parade is free and open to all.
For more details on the 62nd annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade – or details on other family fun things to do this weekend – visit the Metro Parent calendar.
This post was originally published in 2017 and is updated regularly.
