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HomeArts-EntertainmentSt. Paddy's Day Parade Follows Original Route Saturday

St. Paddy’s Day Parade Follows Original Route Saturday

A large crowd fills the street in a past St. Croix St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Since 1969, St. Croix’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has grown in leaps and bounds to what many say is the largest such parade in the Caribbean. Saturday will see “the wearing of the green” begin to sprout before the parade begins promptly at 11 a.m. The crowd will include adults, children former residents and visitors from across America who attend every year (except during the pandemic, of course).

The parade begins at Fort Christiansvaern and proceeds down Company Street to Market Street where it turns north and follows King Street east to conclude at the Fort.

Children’s floats, bands, troops and majorettes start off the parade, followed by antique, race and dealer model cars leading the adults’ section. Floats and dance troops will tweak the imagination with the historic Lost Dog Pub giant cartoon dog and a lively St. Patrick with his scepter of beer cans.

Music will be spaced with a chance for everyone to tramp with their favorites. Live music comes first, then lightly amplified music. The biggest amps and speakers bring up the rear, where historically, the crowd dances with the last bands.

Restaurants and retailers will be open – some selling St. Patrick’s Day specials and vendors will line the streets with food, drinks, tee shirts and toys.

The Virgin Islands Police Department issued their street closures and restrictions for motorists before and during the parade.

No parking will be allowed on King Street or Company Street from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicles found parked in the area will be towed.

Access to town on King Street from Times Square and on Company Street from Hospital Street will be prohibited after 9 a.m. Only parade participants or vendors will be allowed on those streets after 9 a.m.

The parade committee suggests no parking on Company Street, King Street, Church Street and Queen Cross Street from 3 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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