St. Patricks Day Celebrations 2014 on Hilton Head Island
- What: Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade
- When: Sunday, March 16th, 3PM
- Where: Pope Avenue north to Office Park Road
- Contact: hiltonheadireland.org
The countdown is on and since this year has cooperated and the parade will actually take place on THE DAY, it should be an even bigger celebration. This is the 31st year for the parade and there are usually 25,000 people who attend this favorite island event.
(Yep, that's me with my 'friends' - most especially the beloved Yostie, supreme puppeteer whom we lost a year ago)
WHERE DOES IT GO?
The parade route starts out at the south end of the island with staging in the public parking lot. Stepping off on Pope Avenue and continuing north to office park in front of the viewing stand where it will proceed to Park Plaza and The Courtyard building.
WHO MARCHES?
One of the eagerly awaited parade appearances is made by a traveling team of Budweiser Clydesdales pulling the trademark wagon. The Hilton Head High School's band as well as the Bluffton High School band will play and often the middle schools will play too. Floats range from the Alee Pirates float, to the Hilton Head Humane Society, the Volunteers in Medicine, Boys and Girls Club, Island Recreation Center kids, and other organizations. Lots of individual marchers round out the fun.?
WHERE'S THE PARTY ACTION?
Right along the parade route are two hot areas for entertainment - and adult beverages - Aunt Chilada's and Wild Wing's. Both of these places get packed, so decide early which one you'll be enjoying and stay there. If you will be planning to imbibe, be sure to have your ID at the ready-there are also deals and enticements for your 'designated driver' and taxis at the ready.
TIPS TO ENJOY THE PARADE
COME EARLY! Parking is at a premium and you must be in the area by 1PM. The public parking lot at Pope Avenue and South Forest Beach is taken up by the parade staging so your other alternative is in the Coligny area but the shop owners enforce the no parking area so you'll be parking along North Forest Beach or Avocet. At the north end of the parade you can always park off of Office Park Road and New Orleans.
BRING CHAIRS! Since you'll be waiting at least 2 hours before the parade, and since the parade usually lasts at least the same amount of time, AND since you'll be in traffic afterwards, you need to be sure that you can be comfortable.
BRING WATER AND SNACKS! As with the above, there will be quite a long wait and though there are plenty of restaurants along Pope Avenue and in the Coligny area, it's always better to pack something for nibbles.
Find villas for sale in the parade area.
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