The 29th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade will be on Sunday, March 11th at 3pm. The Hilton Head Island parade is a family oriented event designed for everyone's enjoyment and participation. Spectators, in excess of 25,000 people, are always delighted with the antics of clowns, marching bands, entertaining Shiners', beautiful floats, and all the marching units and dignitaries.
A record seven marching bands, featuring more than 400 marchers from high schools, college and the military, will keep the crowds entertained throughout the entire route. Among the musical groups will be the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, a perennial favorite, and the Charleston (SC) Police Pipers. Beauty queens, school children and adoptable dogs will join leprechauns, fire trucks and commercial floats and non-profit organizations. Shriners from across the state will entertain with their funny hillbilly cars and pirate ship. Grand Marshal Tom Peeples, former mayor of Hilton Head, will lead the parade in a white Rolls Royce convertible, followed by dignitaries representing local, state and federal government.
The parade is expected to last for about 2 hours or more. The procession begins at Coligny Beach Park and heads down Pope Avenue. A reviewing stand at Office Park Road marks the left turn. Deejays and announcers will be broadcasting from both the beginning and the reviewing stand. The parade will end near Park Plaza. Spectators may stand anywhere along the parade route and are encouraged to find a spot early. Folding chairs and blankets, along with snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, are allowed. Alcoholic beverages may be consumed only on the premises of local establishments that sell such drinks.
Parking for spectators may be difficult to find. Some shopping centers and churches may allow parking. Car-pooling is suggested. Due to construction at Park Plaza, parking by parade attendees is prohibited.
PARADE ROUTE:
We will set up at the Beach Parking Lot on Pope Ave. The Parade will step off onto Pope Ave at the former Smokehouse entrance. It will continue along Pope Ave., make a left on to the new Office Park Rd. and end at Park Plaza.
Click here to view the Parade Route Map
The parade has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Tourism Events in the Southeast for the month of March.
Be a part of the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day parade, gather your group, and enter a float, either one of your own making or a commercial float from our supplier. All floats compete for awards, of which there are five.
The entry fee for a business float or participation is $200
The entry fee for non-profit groups is $50
Sponsorships are available if interested
All vehicles entered in the parade MUST be decorated in an Irish theme. It is necessary to limit the vehicle participation to two vehicles per business.
For information on entering a float in the the parade and parade rules click here or call Kim Capin at (843) 384-4035 or Rocky O'Sheill at (843) 837-4956.
