Go green in Ocean City at St. Patrick's Day Parade

Whether you’re Irish, or just like to have a good time, you’re in luck. The Delmarva-Irish American Club will host the 39th annual Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

Dust off your green attire and spend the afternoon watching floats decorated by local businesses and organizations. Local high school marching bands will also perform in the parade as well as pipe and drum bands.

Following the parade, spectators can make their way down to the 45th Street Shopping Center for a lively Irish festival. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, with food, drinks, apparel and raffle tickets for sale.

Feel like an Irishman with traditional St. Patrick’s Day food like corn beef sandwiches, green beer and Irish coffee. Enjoy live entertainment provided by Kevin O’Brennan and the Shoreline Band.

“This is not just another Saturday in March,” said club member Dennis Roarty. “It’s the St. Patrick’s Saturday.”

A founding member of the Delmarva-Irish American Club, Roarty says that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become a big event for Ocean City. People come from all around to celebrate, and it’s not uncommon to see entire families come down just for the event.

“It’s not too much to see a handmade sign that says we are the O’Dwyer clan, or we met here 10 years ago and got married,” said Roarty. “For some people, it’s a sentimental event.”

Proceeds from the parade go toward helping the Delmarva Irish-American club give back to the community through local scholarships and to charity organizations.

Beginning at noon, the parade will start on 60th Street and end on 45th Street at the Village Irish Festival. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parade viewers are encouraged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. to avoid traffic delays.

Ocean City police have announced traffic changes on parade day on Coastal Highway.

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Southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane from 66th Street to 43rd Street. Northbound traffic will remain open, however, no left turns or U-turns will be allowed along the parade route from the northbound lane including 62nd Street, police said.

For more information on the event, visit www.delmarvairish.org.

IF YOU GO

The Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

When: Saturday, March 17; parade starts at noon

Where: 60th Street to 45th Street, Ocean City

Cost: Free