With an expanded route, this year’s parade will travel through both Fargo and Moorhead

The Cities of Fargo and Moorhead are proud to announce the 23rd Annual St. Patrick’s Parade will be held on Saturday, March 16 beginning at 11 a.m. With its extensive experience in community parade organization, the Downtown Community Partnership (DCP) will be the lead organizing group for this annual event. This year, the parade will feature an expanded route traveling through Fargo and Moorhead, following the same route as the Xcel Energy Holiday Lights Parade.

Thousands line Broadway in 2016 for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Fargo. [Fargo Underground File Photo]

City Leaders & Businesses Worked Together

Over the last few weeks, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and DCP President Melissa Rademacher met with the former organizing committee for the St. Patrick’s Parade to develop a potential transitionary plan to save the parade. The former committee members’ insight and willingness to assist were key factors in this project.

Businesses and community members donated the necessary funds to allow the DCP to successfully sponsor this year’s event, which was first held in 1996. The presenting sponsor for the 2019 St. Patrick’s Parade is Jefferson Lines and the supporting sponsor is Midwest Radio of Fargo-Moorhead. Fargo Underground, a Downtown Fargo-Moorhead events and entertainment guide, is providing advertising packages to the local businesses and organizations that supported the parade through sponsorships.

Thousands line Broadway in 2018 for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Fargo. [Fargo Underground File Photo]

A Right of Spring

Typically, the parade attracts more than 20,000 attendees with a festive entourage of bands, equestrians, Irish dancers, bagpipes, civic clubs and multicultural groups. A family-friendly event, this celebration unites the community and celebrates an unofficial beginning of spring with some Irish flare.

The DCP encourages participants, businesses, visitors and residents to celebrate by wearing green, using shamrocks and playing music to continue making this a memorable experience for area residents and visitors. After the parade, the DCP encourages everyone to explore and discover all of the unique businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead Downtown communities.

Mayor Mahoney stated, “I’m so excited we were able to partner with the DCP and the parade’s former organizers to continue this fantastic tradition in our community. Working with the City of Moorhead, we were able to expand the parade’s footprint and further link our two great cities. I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to area businesses for their support of this event. This is a win-win for everyone involved and I can’t wait to showcase my Irish heritage on March 16!”

Moorhead Mayor Johnathan Judd remarked, “The Fargo-Moorhead St. Patrick’s Parade is a wonderful community event that’s become a rite of spring no matter the weather. The City of Moorhead is delighted that the new parade route will connect our borders. Moorhead residents are ready to break out the shamrock gear and get our Irish on! Parade goers from all over are welcome to park at and visit Moorhead Center Mall.”

Rademacher commented, “This is a great event that brings friends and families together to celebrate traditions while enjoying the outdoors, especially after a long winter indoors. It is great to see people of all ages dressed up, mixing cultures and having a good time. This is all about starting family traditions or continuing them year after year.”