Syracuse, N.Y. — If you ask Marty Cahill what year saw the best St. Patrick’s Parade in Syracuse, he will answer before you can finish the question.
“Well, it’s going to be this year,” he said this past Sunday during the annual parade fundraiser at Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub. “I’m going to make sure of it.”
He better. He’s a co-grand marshal for the 2024 parade, now in its 42nd year.
He can’t control the weather, and he can’t dictate how quickly the parade will move through downtown Syracuse, but he can set the tone.
“Oh, it’s going to be fun,” he added. “There’s something here for everyone.”
The parade is one of the biggest downtown events. It’s right up there with Taste of Syracuse, Jazz Fest, Festa Italiana and Irish Fest.
If you’re headed downtown on Saturday for the St. Patrick’s Parade, here’s some basic information that will help you navigate your way through the celebration.
The route
The parade starts at noon on Saturday, March 16, in downtown’s Clinton Square. As of Wednesday morning, 120 groups had signed up to march about a half-mile south on Salina Street and finish on West Onondaga Street near Seymour Street.
St. Patrick himself kicks off the parade, followed by the Syracuse Kiltie Pipe Band, the parade committee and then Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.
The groups include firefighters and police throughout Central New York, a dozen bands, 10 dance groups, politicians and local businesspeople.
The grand marshals of this year’s parade — Cahill and David Lynch — make their appearance midway through the second flight of marchers. The parade committee picks an Irish American who has made a significant contribution to the entire community to serve as grand marshal.
Cahill is the chairman of the downtown Syracuse Irish Festival. He recruits musical acts from all over the world to perform in Clinton Square. He volunteers with charitable projects such as the Old Newsboys Christmas Drive, St. Patrick Hunger Project and St. Patrick’s Parish Annual Raffle. Lynch is a longtime member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irish festival volunteer.
The Gael of the Year, the parade’s second top honor, is Lauren Kochian, president of the Museum of Science & Technology.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Kettle’s On: Loads of Room at the Table.” The theme celebrates the Irish tradition of sharing what they have, regardless how humble it is.
Live broadcast
If you choose to stay home and avoid the crowds, you can still catch all the festivities. NewsChannel 9 will broadcast the parade live. Ted and Amy from 93Q emcee the parade from the grandstand.
Parking
Salina Street will be blocked off at Herald Place hours before the parade. Parade officials say you’ll have better luck on streets east of Salina Street.
Many surrounding blocks will be closed starting at 8 a.m. Here’s a full list of what streets will be closed that morning.
Parking is available on many downtown streets, and most parking garages and lots will be open and charging for spots.
Here’s a map of downtown parking available.
Pre-parade Mass
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Columbus Circle.
Where to eat & drink
Downtown has plenty of restaurants and bars that will see an onslaught of patrons Saturday. Don’t expect it to be business as usual.
Salt City Market, downtown’s food court that features more than a dozen restaurants, will be handing out St. Patrick’s Day swag. Vendors will be offering themed food and drink specials. The parade party is free, and there’s plenty of restrooms.
Kitty Hoynes, downtown’s most popular Irish pub and restaurant, will be serve its traditional parade day breakfast, but you’ll have to eat in the dining room. The bar area will be focusing on drinks, including the most popular Irish coffee in town. The only food available at the bar will be corned beef sandwiches. You can make a dining room reservation here.
Kitty’s will have live music throughout the day, including sets by local singer songwriter Shawn Halloran and Neil Emberg, the front man for the Celtic party band Hadrian’s Wall.
Afterparty
The Syracuse Marriott Downtown anchors the end of the parade route. It hosts the Grand Marshal Gala at 6 p.m. Friday and the official after-parties when it ends. “The Parade Ends Here” party starts at 11:30 a.m. General admission is $15.
It’s also a great place to watch the parade if you know someone who’s already booked a room. Irish Dance groups and bagpipes will roam from room to room and put on an impromptu hootenanny.
The Sky Armory, an event venue at 351 S. Clinton St., is having its annual parade party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the perfect place to escape inclement weather and watch the festivities. The gathering will have live music, Irish dancers, a free coat and bag check and food and drinks. What’s more, it has clean bathrooms. Tickets are $10, and you get them in advance here.
Weather
Last year was cold and crummy. It looks like we’re in for a slightly better day this year.
So far, everything is shaping up to be a typical mid-March day. Forecasters predict it’ll be cloudy at parade-time, with a high of 53 degrees. There’s only an 11% chance of rain.
Parade away from the parade
The Tipperary Hill neighborhood is an obvious post-parade destination for folks who want to keep the party going. You’ve got seven mostly Irish pubs within a few blocks of each other so you can create your own pub crawl with plenty of good food.
Some of the bars have pitched for a bus to shuttle merrymakers from downtown to Tipp Hill. You can catch a bus starting at 2 p.m. at 250 S. Clinton St. The stops on the route are McAvan’s, Coleman’s, Emerald Cocktail Kitchen, Blarney Stone, Steve’s and finally Nibsy’s. The shuttle service runs until 7 p.m. The same shuttle will operate noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, the real St. Patrick’s Day.
Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub, home of the neighborhood’s Green Beer Sunday, opens at 11 a.m. and will serve food until 9 p.m. (and drinks until 2 a.m). Coleman’s also will have live music in the afternoon and evening. Mere Mortals play under the outside tent at 3:30 p.m., and The Shazbot performs inside the bar at 8 p.m.
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Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his free weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.
