MANCHESTER, NH — If you’re planning to attend St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2016, or if you’re participating (good for you!) there are a few things you should know. Our friends at Intown Manchester have provided the scoop:
Why is the parade not held on the actual day that others celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
It’s hard to compete with the likes of Boston and New York when it comes to attracting quality bands, marching units and floats on the actual day. Besides… St. Patrick’s Day is a period of time, not a day, so why not stretch it out a little?
You can help our local food pantries by donating canned goods and non-perishable food items on parade day. Look for the New Horizon vehicle in the parade. Any donation, even if it’s just one can, can help.
The Shamrock Shuffle road race begins at 10:45 a.m. for the kids race and 11:15 a.m. for adults, and uses roads near the parade route and along the parade route, so if you’re driving down, expect road closures.
Parade begins at noon, rain or shine. Gov. Maggie Hassan will join the parade this year.
There is no parking in the vicinity of the uptown parade Assembly Areas. Participants must leave their cars at one of two downtown lots near the end of the parade route.
- Pine Street Lot, behind the Norris Cotton Federal Building, located at 275 Chestnut Street
- Lade Avenue Lot, across from the Verizon Wireless Arena on Lake Avenue.
Shuttle service runs from 10 a.m. to noon, from the corner of Central and Chestnut Street to the Assembly Area.
Please do not attempt to drop participants off near the Assembly Areas as many of the roads are closed. Please use the shuttle service.
You can see a map of the area, with these spots noted, here.
Parade Assembly Areas:
Parade marching units will assemble in the parking lot behind the Brady Sullivan Tower at 1750 Elm St. This parking lot is used only for marching units and certain emergency vehicles. All trucks, flatbeds, horse units, utility vehicles, floats, audio vans and cars will line up on Elm St between Webster Street and Salmon Street.
Buses:
Passenger buses (school buses, etc.) will bring participants to the Assembly Area. Participants can pick up the shuttle at the corner of Central and Chestnut Streets downtown.
Floats, Motorized Units & Other Vehicles:
Take Canal Street north where it becomes River Road and proceed past West North Street to the light at Webster Street. Turn right on Webster Street, go one block and turn right onto Elm Street. Tell the police officer there you are in the parade and Parade Staff will line you up.
Assistance:
Ask any yellow jacketed Parade Staff for assistance with directions, Division assignment, etc.
Weather:
The Parade is a rain-or-shine event. If there is a severe weather warning, a decision relative to staging the Parade will be made by 7 a.m. on Parade Day. Visit the parade website at www.SaintPatsNH.com or listen to WZID 95.7 or 96.5 The Mill. Also, a recorded telephone message can be heard at 603-647-8728.
Click Here for a list of our 2016 Parade Sponsors
Click Here for the 2015 Line of March
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