Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns Sunday for 40th annual celebration

HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WTOC) - The 40th Annual Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, beginning at 2 p.m. on Pope Avenue.

The Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Palmetto State, according to organizers.

Since last year’s event was rained out, the island is excited to bring back the Irish celebration bigger and better than ever.

Parade route and parking

The route begins at Lowcountry Celebration Park/Coligny Beach Parking area, turns left onto Pope Avenue, then left onto Office Park Drive and ends at the Courtyard Building/Park Plaza.

No parking will be available near the parade staging area at the Coligny Beach Parking Lot.

Attendees can park in the area of USCB Hilton Head and will be shuttled to Lowcountry Celebration Park. The Breeze Trolley will operate one-way trips from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will begin placing cones and barricades along Pope Avenue at 11 a.m. Sunday.

What to expect

Parade Chairwoman Gabrielle Muething said the event stands out among island celebrations.

“It is the one event that is family-friendly, it’s free, you can watch from a bazillion places and enjoy all that the island offers at the same time,” Muething said.

Organizers expect 25,000 visitors to line the parade route. The marching lineup includes floats, the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Parris Island, pipe and drum bands and more. This year’s Grand Marshal is Diane Reilley.

Make sure you wear green and bring some extra rain gear just in case!

WTOC’s Stormchaser and some familiar faces will be in the parade, so keep an eye out and say hi (or Happy St. Patrick’s Day) when you see us.