32 MARCH 2023 By Mark Hays For 40 years, downtown Phoenix has enjoyed the ultimate celebration of Irish culture: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Faire. The event’s roots go back to 1983 when several Irish immigrants came up with a way to honor their culture and share the enjoyment of St. Patrick’s Day with their new community. Notable founders included John Corcoran, Frank Leavy, Howard Adams, Father Gillespie and Jimmy O’Conner. Their dedication can be seen today in the continued success of the annual event. “They had a long love for the heritage they grew up with,” Jeffrey Aspland, President of the Parade and Faire Committee, said. The committee comprises a group of elected volunteers dedicated to preserving the event and making each successive year even better for all involved. This year, the parade’s theme is “The Greenest Day in the Desert.” Held on March 11 at 10 a.m., the parade will kick off with more than thirty floats traveling south on 3rd St. from Oak St. and end at Margaret T. Hance Park, where the Irish Faire takes place. Guests can enjoy local Irish bands, Irish dancers, bagpipe music and poetry recitations. Attendees can check out traditional corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. For those not a fan of Irish fare, barbeque and other treats will be available. Local artists will sell their wares, including jewelry, kilts, and other cultural items at the vendor market. Celebrations of heritage can be found at the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, located at 1106 N. Central Ave. – a two-minute walk from the park. The Faire has undergone many changes, with new ideas added every few years. “We have experimented with having a multiple-day festival, craft beer tents, and have had many other ideas come and go,” said Aspland. No matter what attractions are available, the committee has one objective: “Our goal is to provide a family-friendly day celebrating St. Patrick and Irish culture,” Aspland said. “Everyone is Irish when they come to Phoenix’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire.” The event has continued all these years due to a commitment to foundational principles and constant change and expansion. In 2023, guests will find new attractions that the committee hopes will build on the success of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year, the committee added the Irish Golf Scramble on May 12, 2023. This event will raise money for two youth programs in the Valley, the Scottsdale Sister Cities Student Golf Exchange with Killarney, Ireland, and the Arizona Colleen program – an Irish pageant to crown the queen who will attend the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade. stpatricksdayphoenix.org ‘The Greenest Day in the Desert’ WHO: Friends and families of all ages! WHAT: The 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Faire. WHERE: Parade: starts on 3rd and Oak Streets. Faire: Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St. WHEN: Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m. ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE & FAIRE If you are currently working with an agent, please disregard. NATHAN ANDERSON + PAUL NICOLETTI 480.888.5800 | NATEANDPAUL.COM SCAN HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE TOUR. 5141 E EARLL DRIVE | ARCADIA | OFFERED AT $2,950,000 OPEN HOUSES NOT YOUR THING? We also have multiple luxury rentals in Arcadia. Call today for immediate offerings! CUSTOM HOME BUILDS SONORAN SCANDI SNEAK PEEK BUILD WITH US! SCAN HERE or Call 602.730.0668 Today ROC #314154

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