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Department of Tourism
Lexington St. Patrick's Parade to Feature Pipe Band
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On Saturday, March 17, downtown Lexington will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like never before. The day starts with the inaugural Shamrock Shuffle 3K Run/Walk followed by the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival. This year’s parade includes an Irish Army Pipe Band from Dublin, Ireland.
The Shamrock Shuffle 3K Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. on the corner of Broadway and Short Street and ends on Main Street. The race will benefit the Pat Smith Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund. Pat Smith was aboard Comair Flight 5191 en route to Gulfport, Miss., to build Habitat houses in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Everyone is invited to run, walk, stroll or shuffle for the cause. The cost of the race is $20, and participants may register up to the day of the race. More information and a copy of the race registration form can be found online at www.shamrockshuffle3k.com.
The race will be followed by a concert starring the Irish Army Pipe Band at 12:30 p.m. in front of the Lexington History Museum. Traditional Irish piping declined to a handful of master players in the 20th century, but the tradition has been kept alive by pipe bands such as this one. The band plays a musical role in addition to their primary duties in the Irish Army. This is the first time an Irish Army band has traveled to perform in Lexington. The concert will also feature an Irish step dancing demonstration.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Midland and Main, continuing to the intersection of Main and Mill Street. The streets of downtown Lexington will be filled with the sights and sounds of pipers, drummers, musicians and dancers. Celebrate spring and Irish heritage at the Irish Festival immediately following the parade from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Upper Street between Main and Vine.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival are organized and sponsored by the Bluegrass Irish Society. Both events are free and open to the public.
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