Parking to Paw Patrol: What to expect from the March 11 Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade

If the grand marshal of the 18th Annual Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade in Yarmouth looks familiar, he probably is: This year’s honoree is former Massachusetts state representative Tim Whelan.

But you’ve probably never seen Whelan playing the spoons before.

“We may even be able to convince Tim to bring his ‘Spoons’ along and play a few tunes for us on parade day!!! FUN FACT ― YES! Tim plays the Spoons (VERY WELL),” writes parade committee chairman Desmond J. Keogh in an exuberant email announcement.

Whelan’s family and two dogs, Dougal and Willow, are scheduled to attend Saturday's celebration with him.

“Tim's family roots trace back to Ireland, from the beautiful coastal town of Dungarvan in County Waterford, reaching as far as County Limerick, and to the quaint village of Boherbue in County Cork,” Keogh writes.

Here is a look at the parade Whelan will be leading, with or without spoons:

Cape Cod's St. Patrick's Parade is the third-biggest in the state.

Cape Cod's St. Patrick's Parade is the biggest in the state after Boston and Holyoke, and 2023 will mark its biggest version yet, with a $75,000 budget and as many as 110 groups.

Probably 40,000-plus are expected to watch.

"First time we've ever raised enough money to have the parade we wanted," Keough said in a phone interview Wednesday. "People tell us it's because they feel it's a great family day."

For the first time, wireless speakers along the route, set up by volunteer emcee and radio personality Paul Eason, will allow parade goers to hear the event and interviews with people in the parade as well as see it.

What time does the St. Patrick's Parade in Yarmouth start, and where can you park?

The parade begins 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, and takes about two hours to pass.

The step-off point of the parade is at the intersection of Route 28 and Long Pond Road and extends two miles, through downtown Yarmouth to end at Higgins Crowell Road.

The parade has no formal parking lots, but Keogh says parade goers park on side streets, in strip mall lots and at the old drive-in theater, which are all along the route.

What is the parade theme for 2023 and where can you get something to eat?

The theme this year is "Shamrocks & Shenanigans." Keogh said the parade is an economic boon to restaurants along the route as well as eateries at either end of the route.

What's the weather forecast for March 11?

As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service predicted a "chance" of rain after 8 a.m. in Yarmouth. The day is expected to be cloudy and breezy, with a high near 40 and a low around 33.

Keep up-to-date on the latest weather changes at https://www.weather.gov/.

What will you see during the parade?

“For the first time in this country or in Ireland, the world-renowned Wolfe Tones will make a historical debut as they march and perform their Irish hits along our parade route,” Keogh wrote.

The Wolfe Tones are in the Guinness Book of Records for 59 years of constant performances.

Also on tap:

• Irish American Police Officers Association Pipes and Drums

• State Police Pipes and Drums

• Highland Light Pipe Band from Sandwich

• Goats on a float

• Live theater show

• 30-foot Thomas the Train

• Dixieland Band

• Mass Maritime Marching Band

• Rolling train for kids

• Boston Windjammers

• Irish Step Dancers

• Flyover

• Fife & Drums from Connecticut

• Stilt Walkers

• Wally and Tessie from the Red Sox

• HKS Clydesdales

• Highland Scottish Pipe Band

• Fire Eaters

• Children's TV and movie characters, including the ever-favorite Paw Patrol

How to learn more

https://www.capecodstpatricksparade.com/ to donate, volunteer or just gather more details.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade: Parking, times, food, weather and more