DENVER — The largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi is back in Colorado this weekend.
The 61st annual Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade will march through downtown Denver on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine.
The parade will begin in downtown Denver at the corner of 19th and Wynkoop, turning left on 17th Street to Blake Street, marching east on Blake and before ending at 27th and Blake at the Coors Field parking lot.
Parade organizers recommend attendees arrive early to get a great spot along the parade route and to prepare for the cool temperatures at the start of the parade by dressing in layers.
Organizers said the best spot is south of 20th Avenue on Blake Street. This is probably the most crowded area of the parade and is standing room only as some people will arrive as early as 6 a.m. to stake out a spot.
The Coors Field parking structure will be available for parking at 27th and Blake starting at 7 a.m. The parking structure is available for free on a first come, first serve with no reservations available.
The Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade typically consists of more than 10,000 marchers and 200 entrants including pipe bands, step dancers, floats, police, fire and emergency service agencies, military members, equestrians, charities, marching bands, businesses and Colorado dignitaries.
Parade volunteer applications can be submitted online and donations can be made to support the parade.
Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade returned in 2022 for the first time in three years. The 2020 parade was one of the first major events canceled at the start of the pandemic. The 2021 parade was also canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions on special events and gatherings.
"For 61 years, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has organized, promoted, and hosted the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade," said Michael O’Neill, president of the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
"This incredible feat has been the result of a devoted group of volunteers and tens of thousands of hours of volunteer time for more than six decades. This year’s parade theme, ‘Irish is Everyone’ celebrates our parade's long history of inclusion and diversity.
"The parade truly represents communities across Colorado, while also celebrating Colorado's rich Irish heritage. Though our all-volunteer organization is the heart and soul of the Parade, the city of Denver showcasing the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of the Mississippi would not be possible without the multitude of sponsors like Bellco Credit Union and private donors."
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