General
Springfield, Illinois’ 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Marching Band Parade starts promptly at noon on Saturday, March 16, 2024. There is no rain date. If the parade must be canceled due to inclement weather, every attempt will be made to contact all participants no later than the morning of the parade.
All parade entries must check-in at the Parade Registration Area which will be located at the southwest corner of the Horace Mann parking lot by 11:00 AM. This area will be marked with balloons for easy visibility. Volunteers will direct participants to their designated staging area. If an entry is not located in their designated staging area by 11:30 AM, they will not be allowed to participate in the parade.
Theme
The theme for the 40th Annual Parade is “IRISH PUBS & FOLKLORE.” We highly encourage all parade floats and entries to include the theme in your preparations.
Grand Marshal
In 2024, in keeping with the theme, a local business and pub owner passionately dedicated to being a powerhouse staple to making the parade happen for many years.
BARRY FRIEDMAN is our 2024 Grand Marshal for his relentless efforts and volunteer time he gives to the creation, planning, and actual implementation of this parade year after year.
Parade Route
Candy or Other Handouts
Please ensure that you have enough handouts for the families along 6th Street during the second half of the parade. We recommend that you save half of your handouts in a separate container and begin distributing them after you’ve made the turn onto Capitol. Throwing candy or anything else into a crowd from a moving vehicle is very dangerous. Candy and other objects may only be handed to spectators by walkers near the curb.
Parade Check-in
ONLY ONE parade entry representative should report to the check-in area located the Horace Mann parking lot (north side of Jefferson between 7th and 8th). Check-in opens at 9:00AM and closes at 11:00 a.m. All units must be checked in by 11:00 a.m., unless otherwise specified. Upon check-in, your unit will be given a parade number which corresponds to your place in the parade. You will also be instructed by a staging area marshal where to line up, based on your assigned number. By parade day, much review has already gone into the line-up and last minute changes will not be made. This line up is critical to coordination with the Reviewing Stand Masters of Ceremonies to accurately announce your parade entry. The decision of the staging area coordinator concerning participation and position in the parade is final.
It is extremely helpful that the main parade registration entrant coordinate the meeting location for parade line up with their walkers prior to parade day by visiting the website to obtain the parade number and corresponding line up location. The website provides a map of the parade as well as line up locations by sections (i.e. A, B, C, etc.). Please advise all of your parade participants of your line up location and ask them to avoid going to the staging area volunteer. Only ONE person from the parade entry needs to check in. The staging area volunteers are busy with staging and line up and these distractions cause delays in line up coordination. Your help and cooperation is greatly appreciated!
All parade numbers must be placed on the driver’s side of a vehicle or clearly placed on a banner, etc. so that your entry can be fully recognized at the Reviewing Stand, which will be located on South 6th Street, the West side of the Old State Capital Plaza facing Adams Street.
Also remember, PARKING IN THE STAGING AREAS IS FOR PARADE ENTRIES ONLY. ANY PERSONAL VEHICLES PARKING IN ANY OF THE STAGING AREAS MAY BE TOWED. Parking is available in other Horace Mann owned parking lots on Ninth Street, across from the Parade Staging Area.
Floats
Any float wishing to be judged for the cash prizes should indicate such when they register for the parade. All floats wishing to compete must have a representative with their float at the time of the actual judging. Awards will be distributed in the weeks following the parade.
Bands
The Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade seeks to be one of the best marching band parades in the Midwest with many competing and non-competing band entries taking part. All school marching bands receive a cash stipend of $300 for registering and participating in the parade. Checks will be mailed a few weeks after the parade.
A representative from each of the bands should still check-in at the registration area in the Horace Mann parking lot. The registration area will be marked with balloons.
Walking Units and Other Entries
Follow the general check-in information. Entries must be kept to a reasonable length, and generally reflect the description on the entry form (For example, if the form says you will have 2 trucks, don’t show up with more). The registration form asks for number of marchers accompanying your entry. With the exception of bands and scouts, the parade committee must give approval to all walking group of more than 50 people. All political entries will be limited to a maximum of 50 walkers, no exceptions. If you are a non-political organization and have more than 50 people interested walking, please indicate this on your entry form, so the committee can review your entry and contact you. We appreciate your cooperation!
Political Floats and Entries
Entrants are encouraged to make their entry as entertaining as possible for the audience. Floats, marching units and other parade participants are encouraged to dress for the occasion. In the spirit of a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, all entries are encouraged to join in the theme.
Parade entries representing political candidates or organizations will not be eligible to compete for any cash prizes offered by the parade. Please remember that political entries are limited to 50 adults or children. Failure to comply risks exclusion of all or part of the entry. The decision of the parade committee and staging area coordinator is final.
Political Entry Disclaimer: One political candidate or representative per registration entry. We reserve the right to bill political parade entries that have multiple candidates, politicians, representatives walking together in the parade. Please respect that all registration fees for the parade are donated directly back into local philanthropic organizations.
Pacing
To prevent gaps, please maintain pacing. Entries should not stop or slow down to perform along the parade route. Keep a short, safe interval from the unit in front of you. Please be aware that there may be marching bands near your entry. Please do not blast horns or sirens or otherwise interfere with performing bands. All efforts will be made to disperse parade entries to minimize excessive noise between entries and allow spectators to enjoy the music of the bands.
Alcoholic Beverages
The St. Pat’s Parade is a family event with many students and children present and participating. The consumption of alcoholic beverages by parade participants in the staging area and throughout the parade route is strictly prohibited. Open alcoholic beverages are prohibited in any motorized vehicle by law. Violators and their entries are subject to removal by the Committee.
Registration Fees
Political Entry: $250
Commercial Entry: $200
Not For Profit Entry: $50
School Marching Band: No Charge
More Information
For more information or if you have questions, please contact us.