5 things to know if you are going to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Pittsburgh
Don’t just rely on the luck of the Irish to navigate Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Be prepared.
Time
The event starts at 10 a.m., Downtown Pittsburgh. It is expected to last about 3½ hours. The parade route is 1.4 miles and typically attracts from 200,000-350,000 spectators.
Before the parade begins, there is an 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s in the Strip District. Bishop David Zubik is expected to celebrate the Mass and then bless the parade.
Weather forecast
The National Weather Service of Pittsburgh predicts a high of 39 degrees. There is a 20% chance or snow, according Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with the NWS Pittsburgh. But it will most likely be low impact, he said, flurries at the most.
“Dress in layers and be smart,” Frazier said. “If you are feeling the cold, take breaks from the outside temperatures. Also, always be cautious when driving any time there is precipitation.”
Parking
Drivers can park for free at Second Avenue Parking Plaza. That will fill up quickly, so arrive early to get a spot. There will also be parking Downtown, but again, arrive early as the streets along the parade route will close on a rolling basis, according to the Department of Public Safety. Parking options are available on the North Shore and Station Square with access to the subway.
Street parking will be heavily restricted along the route and close to it. Visit the Parking Authority website for a list of Downtown lots and garages and their rates.
Street closings
The St. Patrick’s Parade begins at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Streets, then continues on to Grant Street, where it turns right onto the Boulevard of the Allies. From there, the parade proceeds to the Reviewing Stand at Stanwix Street. It will then disburse at Commonwealth Place.
The forming area of the parade will be on Liberty Avenue from 26th to 11th streets. That section will be closed by 7:30 a.m., according to the Department of Public Safety. The parade route itself will be closed to traffic by 9:30 a.m.
As the parade passes, there will be sort of “rolling opens” of the streets when it is safe to do so, according to a statement by the Department of Public Safety.
????About 50 bus routes will be detoured on Saturday for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Pittsburgh. Some detours begin around 7 a.m., and most detours will be in effect by 9 a.m. Please allow for extra travel time.
See detours at https://t.co/jZCOXuAJeX ???? pic.twitter.com/j1PfMK8Fs2
— Pittsburgh Regional Transit (@PGHtransit) March 10, 2023
Pittsburgh Regional Transit schedules for bus and T service will have more than 40 bus routes serving Downtown and the Strip District with detours and temporary stops the morning of the parade. Some detours will begin around 7 a.m. for parade set-up. Most will be in effect by 9 a.m. and will last until streets reopen after the parade, according to PRT.
To connect riders to buses that operate on the East Busway, a special Steel Plaza-Penn Station rail car will run between the center platform of Steel Plaza Station and the outbound platform of Penn Station on the East Busway from about 7 a.m. until streets begin to reopen.
Some bus routes will not be able to serve Downtown. Riders continuing into Downtown will have the option to transfer to inbound light rail service. Most bus routes will be back to regular schedules by 3 p.m.
Dining
Market Square has traditionally been a gathering spot pre- and post-parade. The Original Oyster House will be serving drinks such as Irish breakfast, Irish mule, Guinness and Iron City. Nearby City Works Eatery & Pour House is hosting a Kegs N’ Eggs St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Cost is $25 and includes a breakfast buffet and drink specials from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle in the Strip District opens at 8 a.m. to serve breakfast until 10 a.m. Diners get scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries and a muffin for $10. There will be 12 hours of live music beginning at noon.
The Commoner, located inside the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, will also have a Kegs & Eggs special featuring corned beef, breakfast hash featuring duck leg cooked in fat, winter vegetables, apple cider glaze, and a fried egg. There will be Irish beverages and green beer.
The PA Market in the Strip District will serve Irish-inspired cocktails.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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