Want to go to the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade? Here's what you need to know.
YARMOUTH — Route 28 is due to be awash in a sea of green clothes, hair and shamrocks Saturday as the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade returns — in a huge way. Up to 50,000 spectators are expected for the annual tradition.
As of Monday, the committee listed more than 80 groups as marchers, floats, bands or vehicles, with 16 Celtic-connected bands due to play. Leading the parade will be the first woman Naval commander of the USS Constitution in Charlestown; a nearly 102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor will be honored; Yarmouth's retiring police chief will get an award; and a new law protecting police dogs in honor of the town’s K-9 hero will be celebrated.
If you’re ready to be part of the party, here’s what you need to know:
When is the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade?
The parade, with its “Scatter Joy” theme, will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5 — but all access to the Route 28 parade area will be shut off as of 10:30 a.m. Many restaurants and businesses will offer themed specials before the parade, and businesses along Route 28 will welcome visitors all day — some with Irish music.
How long will the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade last?
Because there are so many parts of the parade, and they will be distanced more than usual as a COVID-19 precaution, Desmond Keogh, chairman of the parade committee, said start to finish will be two hours.
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What is the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade route?
The 1.9-mile parade route winds completely along Route 28, starting near the intersection of Long Pond Drive in South Yarmouth, and finishing near the intersection with Higgins Crowell Road in West Yarmouth.
Where is the best place to watch the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade?
With the route down just one main road, and one that's relatively flat, "anywhere" is a good vantage point, according to Keogh. "There's not really a bad view," he said. "No matter where you are on the route, you're going to see everything."
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Where should I park to watch the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade?
As long as you arrive before Route 28 is closed down at 10:30 a.m., Keough said there are spots along that main road and on side streets that are good for parking. There are no official parking lots for the parade, he said.
How to get around after the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority will provide trolleys to continuously loop up and down the Route 28 parade route from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and stop as requested at local shops, restaurants and other businesses.
Free taxi rides are expected to be available for revelers in the evening, with help from Yarmouth police.
More information about the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade
The parade website at https://www.capecodstpatricksparade.com/join-us/ offers more details on honorees and past parades. Updates and photos of some of the participants can be found on https://www.facebook.com/capestpatsparade.
Contact Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll at kdriscoll@capecodonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @KathiSDCCT.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade: What you need to know to go
