In 2019, the Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Entries for annual parade, as well as vendor applications for the Irish festival are now being accepted.
The parade and festival will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019, in downtown Lexington. The Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation produces the annual event with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations led by the Bluegrass Irish Society.
“The Bluegrass Irish Society was formed in 1980 and our first of order of business was to put together the city’s St. Patrick’s parade,” said Megan Moloney, the society’s president and parade chair. “On our 40th anniversary, we look forward to recognizing those who were integral to starting what has become one of the city’s longest-running annual civic events.”
The daylong celebration begins at 8 a.m. with the 13th 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. Stephens Courthouse plaza kicks off a free festival with entertainment from Irish dancers and musicians. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Main Street.
Applications for parade participants, concessions and festival vendors can be found online at https://lexingtonstpatsparade.org/. Concession vendor applications are due by January 25. Applications for vendors for the Irish festival are due February 8. Parade entry forms are due by March 1.
Since 1980, the Bluegrass Irish Society has sponsored Lexington’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 #LexStPats2019.
###