St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with parades, marching bands, corned beef and cabbage, green beer and leprechauns. The holiday that we associate with dancing, music and drinking has religious and political origins. St. Patrick was a Saint credit with bringing Christianiy to Ireland.
Today, everyone can be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Wear a green carnation, or a shamrock and gather with friends and neighbors for a public party.
St. Pat’s parades will take place around Iowa. The Quad Cities is noted as an interstate parade that starts in Rock Island, Illinois and finishes in Davenport Iowa. Following are some of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parades around Iowa.
St. Patrick Society, Quad Cities, USA
Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa, March 15
The Quad Cities area includes the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa and Moline and Rock Island in Illinois The St Patrick Society sponsor’s a unique parade crosses the Mississippi River and over the State Line between Illinois and Iowa.
The Quad Cities Grand Parade is the only interstate St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the U.S.A. The Parade starts in Rock Island, Illinois and travels over the Mississippi to Davenport Iowa.
Irish Heritage Day, Isle of Capri, Bettendorf, Iowa, March 16
Noon to 5 pm
The Mullane Irish Dance Academy will perform to traditional Irish tunes, kicking up their heels to the music. The Gilhooly Award will be presented. This is a family oriented event honoring Irish history.
St. Patrick’s Celebration, Emmetsburg, Iowa, March 14 to 16
St. Patrick’s Parade, March 15, 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Emmetsburg features a weekend of activities, including pageant,. On Friday there is a full day of activities, including dance lessons, a fish fry, ST. Pat’s Talent Show and Ceili Fun Night.
Son Saturday, activities include a petting zoo, Four Hitch Horse Wagon Rides by Horseflowers, Face Painting, Magic Show, Irish Stew and Magic Show.
Des Moines St. Patrick’s Day, Parade, Monday, March 17, Noon.
Central Iowa Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick presents the parade in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The day starts with a flag raising at 8:45 am at the Embassy Suites. After the flag raising, the parade is assembled.
After the parade a reception is held at Embassy Suites, which lasts until about 4:30 pm.
33nd Annual SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 17, 1:00 pm
SaPaDaPaSo stands for Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Society.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety has issued a safety reminder. The department wants to remind motorists and passengers of the dangers of driving and driving. Since many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations include alcohol, motorists should take care not to drink and drive.
In addition, passengers should not get into car with a driver who is impaired. “Don’t test your luck this St. Patrick’s Day.” Designate a sober driver before the festivities begin.
Enjoy the Irish holiday in good health.
Information subject to change.
Read about the Top St. Pat’s Parades in the United States.
Read about St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, Illinois.
Read about St. Paddy’s Day in the Twin Cities and Around Minnesota.
