Attending Ocean City's 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade? Here's everything you need to know

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

In just one week's time, the resort town of Ocean City will be awash in green and gold as residents and visitors gear up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Here's everything you need to know about the annual parade and festivities.

Where and when is the parade being held?

Dress to the nines in your gaudiest green for the 2023 Ocean City’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held Saturday, March 11, prior to St. Patrick's Day on March 17. The cost to attend is free.

This year's St. Patrick's Day Parade will begin promptly at noon, when pipe and drum bands will bring the sounds of Ireland to the streets of the resort town, along with high school marching bands and festively decorated floats sponsored by local businesses, groups and organizations.

Leading the parade will be Billy and Madlyn Carder as this year’s grand marshals, as well as former Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan, who will march in the parade as the honorary grand marshal.

The parade will run down Coastal Highway starting at 57th Street and proceeding south to 45th Street. The reviewing and judges stand will be located at the 45th Street Village Shopping Center parking lot. To avoid traffic delays, spectators are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. and to view the parade from 57th Street south to 45th Street.

The parade will be live-streamed by UnScene Productions. Details of the live-stream will be shared on the Delmarva Irish-American Club Facebook page.

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How can I sign up?

Those looking to join in on the fun can sign up now through March 4 to participate in the parade. This year’s festivities will benefit the Delmarva Irish-American Club's efforts in continuing to fund local scholarships and charities.

To sign up, fill out a form online and return it as soon as possible. Sign up early to be guaranteed a spot in the event. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $50 that must accompany the application.

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Are there additional festivities?

The 45th Street Village Shopping Center will be transformed into an Irish Festival complete with live Irish entertainment from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, dancers, face painting, Irish apparel and plenty of food and drink. Festivities at the free-admission festival will begin at 11 a.m. and will run through 3 p.m. March 11.

This year’s parade committee will award trophies for the best marching band, best commercial float, best non-commercial float, best motorized unit, best adult marching unit, best youth marching unit, best overall entry in the parade, and special committee award.

What is the Delmarva Irish-American Club?

The Delmarva Irish-American Club was founded in 1980 by a small group of friends with the vision of celebrating the Feast Day of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, with a parade much the same as in larger cities like New York, Boston and Baltimore, according to the club's official website.

The DIAC's first membership drive resulted in 75 members. Today, there are close to 300. The club is open to anyone who is Irish, of Irish descent or just likes things Irish.

Over the years, the DIAC — a 501(c)(3) social organization — has donated more than $530,000 from parade proceeds to scholarships for local high school students and to other charities and organizations. The DIAC is especially proud to have made a $50,000 donation to the Macky and Pam Stansell House at Coastal Hospice.

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What’s the weather forecast?

While COVID-19 restrictions and storms forced the cancelation of this Ocean City tradition the last three years, the DIAC is pleased to announce the parade will be bigger and better than ever this year.

However, similar to previous years, the weather may not be in the resort town's favor once again. A slight chance of rain is on the horizon for Ocean City.

According to The Weather Channel and its 10-day weather forecast, there is a 40 percent chance of rain showers on March 11, with an overall temperature in the mid-40s and winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. Rain showers are expected to taper off in the morning, leading to an overcast, windy evening.

There is no rain date for the parade or festival. For more information, visit www.delmarvairish.org or contact Buck Mann at 410-289-6156.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Your guide to everything Ocean City for 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade