Detroit St. Patrick's Parade: What to know before you go

Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press
·3 min read

The annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade returns this Sunday in the historic Corktown neighborhood.

The parade itself begins at 1 p.m., but there are peripheral celebrations and activities that will have thousands sporting green and flooding the streets and pubs surrounding Michigan and Trumbull avenues earlier in the day.

Here are some details on the Detroit tradition of more than 60 years.

Sloane McCarver, 5, of Grosse Pointe Farms, paints a shamrock during the kickoff of St. Patrick's Parade weekend held Friday, March 11, 2022, at the United Irish Societies Plaza in Corktown in Detroit.
Sloane McCarver, 5, of Grosse Pointe Farms, paints a shamrock during the kickoff of St. Patrick's Parade weekend held Friday, March 11, 2022, at the United Irish Societies Plaza in Corktown in Detroit.

What:

United Irish Societies, a collection of more than 35 local groups, organizes this Detroit tradition for the area’s Irish (and Irish-for-the-day), with a fun day planned for the whole family.

It's noted as one of the largest St. Patrick’s parades in the country with estimates of 80,000-100,000 people typically in attendance, according to organizers.

The parade will include pipe and drum bands; color guard units; floats; clowns; novelty groups and marching units.

When:

1 p.m. Sunday, March 12

Parade lasts about two hours.

Where:

The parade steps off at Sixth street and Michigan Avenue and marches west on Michigan Avenue to 14th Street.

Kevin Malone, 56, left, poses for a selfie during the St. Patrick's Parade along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown on Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Kevin Malone, 56, left, poses for a selfie during the St. Patrick's Parade along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

Who:

This year’s grand marshal, Kevin Murphy of Livonia, owner of Murphy’s Restaurant in Redford Township, said he is honored to share his love of Irish culture, music and heritage with metro Detroit.

“This parade is a perfect time to celebrate Corktown, Detroit, and the exciting history and new energy in the Corktown area,” Murphy said.

The parade’s emcee will be Paul W. Smith of WJR AM-760.

Hometown Heroes will be honored at the parade for their community service including:

  • Rev. Tim McCabe, executive director, Pope Francis Center

  • Corporal Nickolas Zubok, Dearborn Police Department

  • Satrices Coleman-Betts, executive director,St. Patrick's Senior Center

“We’re thrilled this year’s event will be better than ever with all of the positive momentum in Corktown for everyone who lives, works and visits the area,” said Mike Kelly, United Irish Societies president and parade co-chairman.

Members of the Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology marching band perform during the St. Patrick's Parade along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown on Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Members of the Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology marching band perform during the St. Patrick's Parade along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

Pre-parade events:

  • Painting of the Shamrocks: Noon Friday at the United Irish Societies Irish Plaza on Sixth Street and Michigan Avenue. The parade queen and her court, parade officials, United Irish Societies President Mike Kelly and Grand Marshal Kevin Murphy will be in attendance, along with Irish pipe and drum musicians.

  • Parade Day Mass: 10:30 am, Most Holy Trinity Church, 1050 Porter St., Detroit

  • Corktown Races: A 5K race, a 1 mile run and a kids course will also take place in Corktown on Sunday in the hours before the parade. The event is celebrating 40 years. More information at www.corktownrace.com.

  • Tickets are sold out for the Family Fun Zone, which provides heated grandstand seating and entertainment at Michigan Avenue and Sixth Street.

  • Food trucks, heated tents and entertainment will be set up at Michigan Avenue and Vermont St. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information at www.corktownparadefestival.com.

Beer cans hang from a tree during the St. Patrick's Parade along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown on Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Beer cans hang from a tree during the St. Patrick's Parade along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

Park early:

Street parking and surface lots around Michigan Avenue will fill up fast on parade day. Arrive early and carpool.

More information on parade festivities at detroitstpatricksparade.com.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit St. Patrick's Parade: What to know before you go