The Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival committee is now accepting entries for its annual parade, as well as vendor applications for the Irish festival. This year’s event will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2018, in downtown Lexington. The Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation produces the annual event with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations, including the Bluegrass Irish Society.
Lexington’s St. Patrick’s parade is the city’s longest-running annual civic event. The parade and festival are part of an all-day celebration that begins at 8 a.m. with the 12th annual Shamrock Shuffle to benefit Lexington Habitat for Humanity. At 10:45 a.m., the “Blessing of the Keg” at the Alltech tents at the Robert F. Stephen Courthouse Plaza kicks off the free festival. The parade begins at 1 p.m.
Applications for parade participants and vendors can be found online at https://lexingtonstpatsparade.org/. Concession vendor applications are due by January 26. Applications for vendors for the Irish festival are due February 9. Parade entry forms are due by March 1.
Since 1980, the Bluegrass Irish Society has sponsored the city’s St. Patrick’s celebrations with the help of members and volunteers from throughout the community. For information on free membership in the society or to volunteer to help with the parade, visit http://bluegrassirishsociety.org/ and complete the online application.
Follow @LexStPatsParade on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for information, event updates and day of coverage. Parade participants and attendees are encouraged to share their photos online, tag @LexStPatsParade and use #LexStPats2017.