Come celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Scituate, the most Irish town in America. Every year, this seaside town holds a Saint Patrick’s Day parade full of food, fun, and a lot of green. Here is everything you need to know about Scituate’s 2024 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
When and Where is the Parade?
This year the parade will occur on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 1 pm. It starts at Veterans Memorial at 327 First Parish Rd, then heads down First Parish Road. The parade then takes a left onto Front Street through Scituate Harbor, up through Beaver Dam Road, then a right on Jericho Road where the parade ends near the intersection of Hatherly Road. Follow a map of the parade for a clear indication of where to go.
The Parade’s History
The parade’s origin began in 1995 in the Scituate neighborhood of Minot. It wasn’t the grand parade we know today. Initially, Jim and Janet Campbell and fellow neighbors began this small procession around a block in Minot on the Irish Riviera. They celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with bands, homemade floats, and antique cars.
However, Minot felt that the parade had become a safety hazard, as crowds filled the streets to view the fun. Minot asked the Campbells to move the celebration to downtown Scituate, where the parade has existed ever since. Eventually, the Campbells handed over the parade organization responsibility to Scituate’s Chamber of Commerce.
In 1999, parade chairman Ed Kelley took over the operation until the Scituate Harbor Business Association took it over in 2016. In 2024, the Parade Committee, named “Scituate St. Patrick’s Day Parade Inc.,” sponsors the celebration.
Parade Events
The parade has grown five times in size since its beginnings in 1993. To prepare, the Scituate Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Inc. is hosting events leading up to the celebration. On March 2 from 7 to 11 pm, check out the Spring Ahead Soiree. Located at the Scituate Country Club on 91 Driftway, enjoy good food, music, and raffles. This will help raise funds for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.
The Grand Marshals Dinner, recognizing sponsors of the parade, will be held on March 14 at 6 pm at the Widows Walk Golf Course. Feast on corned beef and cabbage or chicken as State Rep. Patrick Kearney and Senator Patrick O’Connor hold presentations about the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Call to reserve your seat; tickets are $20.
Every year, Scituate selects a Mayor by vote for their Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Interested in voting for a candidate this year? Spend $10 to cast your ballot; the winner will be decided on March 14 at the Grand Marshals Dinner. Learn more about each candidate and decide which one you’d like to vote for.
Take a Saint Patrick’s plunge at Humarock Beach on March 16 at noon. Those interested can meet at the Voyage Restaurant and Pub. You’ll receive a St. Pats Plunge beach towel for every $100 you earn from pledgers or donors.
More Parade Information
Scituate advises to use the parking lots at Scituate High School and Windows Walk Golf Course. If you’re traveling by car to come to the parade, you are restricted from parking on Front Street after 10 am. Shuttle buses will begin at 11 am to bring visitors from the high school to the start of the parade and bring travelers from the Windows Walk Golf Course parking lot to the corner of 1st Parish Road and Front Street.
Celebrate the luck of the Irish and come to Scituate’s Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17!