Your Green Guide: Worcester St. Patrick's Day Parade 2024

WORCESTER, MA — One of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in New England returns this weekend rain or shine — and it'll probably more of the former.

The 42nd Worcester County St. Patrick's Day Parade officially begins around noon Sunday, but will take over the center of the city for most of the day for events ranging from the Celtic 5K to the many events planned at nearby bars and restaurants.

But as the luck of the Irish would have it — or maybe it's Murphy's law? — the forecast says it'll be raining all day.

The parade will step off near the corner of Mill Street and Park Avenue, heading north past hordes of kelly green revelers. Here's everything you need to know about the parade, whether you're attending, want to watch from home, or want to avoid traffic issues.

Parking

It's up to you to find parking for the parade. A good strategy might be to park far from the route and either walk or take a WRTA bus (all buses are free still) closer to Park Avenue. Keep in mind you might be parade fighting traffic on your way home.

If you end up finding a space on one of the many side streets adjacent to the route, be careful not to block driveways or sidewalks. Local residents who may not be partaking in the parade still have to get around that day.

Parade Route

The parade begins near Mill Street and Park Avenue, just east of Coes Reservoir. The parade will then head north up Park Avenue and end near Highland Street at Elm Park. The event officially starts at noon, but the actual parade may not begin until after that.

Weather

From the National Weather Service: Rain, mainly before 2pm. Patchy fog before 1pm. High near 51. Breezy, with a southeast wind 17 to 25 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Detours

If you're driving in Worcester on Sunday — whether to the parade or elsewhere — police typically ask drivers to use Mill Street to go southbound and Main Street to go northbound. Both streets are approximately east (Main) and west (Mill) of Park Avenue. The entire parade route will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

To cross the parade route, your best bet on the south end will likely be through Webster Square via Main Street and Airport Drive. Salisbury Street on the north end of the route will also get you across. I-290 could also be a good north-south corridor in a pinch.

Grand Marshal

The 2024 grand marshal is Rich Smalley, a member of the Vernon Hill American Legion who also puts on many charitable events, including motorcycle rides to raise money for local kids. Smalley will be joined by past grand marshals in the No. 4 spot in the parade lineup.

Parade Lineup

The parade will be split into two main divisions. Here are the first 10, but you can see a full list here:

• 1 Vernon Hill American Legion Riders Chapter #435, additional American Legion Rider Chapters and Veterans Rider Groups
• 1a St. Patrick's Banner
• 2 Marine Corps League (Worcester Detachment)
• 3 WPI Marching and Pep Band
• 4 Grand Marshal Rich Smalley and past grand marshals
• 4a Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade Chairperson Erin Zamarro
• 4b Parade Community Award Winners
• 4C Dedication: In Memory Of Kathy Torrey
• 4D Mayor of the St. Patrick's Parade Tammy Bailey, Past Parade Mayors
• 5 St. Peter Central Catholic float
• 5a Worcester Fire Department Color Guard
• 6 Worcester Fire Brigade Pipe & Drums
• 7 Worcester Fire Department
• 8 Worcester EMS
• 9 Clinton Firefighters' IAFF Local 3189
• 10 Webster EMS

Food, Drinks

Just about every restaurant, bar and business along the parade route from Webster Square to Highland Street (and beyond) will have special St. Patrick's Day festivities going on. There will also be a food and beer garden again at Elm Park.

Guinness Celtic 5K

The usual Irish-themed road race will take place immediately before the parade beginning at 11 a.m. The race starts and ends at Elm Park.

Watch

If you want to avoid the crowds, you can watch the parade live on Spectrum News 1 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Anchors Cam Jandrow and Amanda Keane will host live from the studio joined by parade committee member Bud Sargent. Reporter Dan Reidy will provide live updates at the parade, including interviews with parade marchers and local politicians.