St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Festival set for Saturday

The 31st Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival is on Saturday, March 16, on Main Street. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and the festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The one-day rain or shine event attracts more than 30,000 people annually.
The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade presenting sponsor.

The North Strand Optimist Club organizes the parade, and all entry fees go back into helping the youth of our community.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival offers over 150 food, arts and crafts, nonprofit and other vendors.

There will be a kids area with games and rides sponsored by Fun Warehouse.

The food area, sponsored by South Atlantic Bank, will have delicious Irish treats as well as festival favorites.

Come celebrate all things Irish!
The St. Patrick’s Day Festival offers three entertainment stages. The current entertainment lineup is as follows:
Flynn’s Irish Tavern Stage
11:00 a.m.: Brendan O’Connor
11:45 a.m.: Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes & Drums
12:00 p.m.: Brendan O’Connor
12:45 p.m.: Wake District Pipes & Drums
1:00 p.m.: Tan & Sober Gentleman
2:15 p.m.: Leprechaun Contest
2:30 p.m.: Shepard’s Pie Eating Contest
2:45 p.m.: Tan & Sober Gentleman
Freedom Boat Club Community Stage – Oak Drive
11:15 a.m.: Triple Toe Cloggers
11:45 a.m.: Parade Awards
12:00 p.m.: Mark McKinney & Co.
1:00 p.m.: Coastal Carolina Shields Pipe & Drums
1:15 p.m.: Mark McKinney & Co.
2:00 p.m.: If Birds Could Fly
Paradise Adventure Golf Stage – Near Duffy Street Seafood Shack
11:00 a.m.: Cornbread
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Band on Fire
Two contests are part of this year’s festival.
31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Contest
Show off your love of all things Irish by competing in the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Contest. Judges look for originality, creativity, appearance, enthusiasm and energy.
31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Shepherd’s Pie Eating Contest
The first person to clear their plate without using their hands wins bragging rights and a stylish plaque.
Register at the Main Stage at Flynn’s Irish Tavern before 2 p.m.

WPDE TV 15 is the media sponsor. Easy 105.9 is the radio sponsor.