Springdale Hosts the 34th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade
Saturday, March 18th, 2023
The 34th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade is continuing a cherished Springdale tradition after four years on hiatus that celebrates the changing of the seasons in Zion. The event is free to the public, and there will be an array of things to do for all ages. Absolutely everyone who’s interested in having a good time is invited!
The rousing event will feature 3hattrio, Tilted Mesa, Wooden Tantrum, and the award-winning Utah Pipe Band, which has been performing in various iterations since it was founded over 80 years ago by Scottish immigrants. This will be the first St Patrick’s celebration without the beloved larger-than-life founder Larry McKown, who sadly passed away just weeks after our last parade almost four years ago. There are plans to honor Larry’s legacy with the Larry McKown Spirit Award for the parade float participant that captures the essence of Larry and his founding vision of St Patrick’s in Springdale. Larry also notably founded, among others, Flanigan’s Inn and the Spotted Dog Cafe.
Like previous years, the festivities will begin with a 2 PM parade through the Town of Springdale, beginning at the intersection of Lion Boulevard and Zion Park Boulevard and ending at Canyon Springs Road. This is one of the area’s most beloved, liveliest, and greenest parades with past entries ranging from painted belly dancers to shamrock-bedazzled bicycles to competitive business interpretations of all things St. Patrick.
Following the parade, the celebration continues at the Bumbleberry lawn with an intimate yet spectacular performance by the bagpipers, drummers, and dancers of the Utah Pipe Band. Rounding out the Celtic theme you can enjoy delicious food and a beer garden by Zion Brewery. Parents can rejoice and relax with the addition of a free kid’s zone to keep the younger crowd thoroughly entertained.
Festivities will continue throughout the night as things move indoors at the Bumbleberry Theater with a 7 PM performance by 3hattrio and local restaurants such as Spotted Dog and Zion Canyon Brew Pub offer their own take on Irish-themed dishes.
The St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Springdale has been embraced by locals and visitors alike for its flair and excitement, which can only be enhanced by its indescribable location within the surrounding towering Navajo sandstone walls. Join us and celebrate the beginning of yet another beautiful season in Zion Canyon!
