Albany’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities are set for this weekend. Here's a look at what’s in store.
Mayor Kathy Sheehan says Albany is marking St. Patrick's Day with three major events: the North Albany Limerick Parade, Irish Sweat-er 5K Run, and St. Patrick’s Day Parade. "So the day starts with Mass at 9 o'clock at Blessed Sacrament and then we step off in the North Albany Parade at Noon."
Albany Police spokesman Steve Smith says it's a shorter march than in years past. "It goes around the block toward Menands and back to North First Street from the American Legion Post. There will be some road closures for that parade, but no parking restrictions."
Also at noon, the second annual Irish Sweat-er 5K foot race begins. Billed as a "fun run for all ages" - Smith notes it follows the route of the 69th Annual Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade, just before the parade steps off at 2:00 PM. "That begins on State Street and ends at State Street and runs up Central Avenue and then back to State Street. So be on the lookout for that, there'll be some road closures along Central Avenue and sides streets for that."
- The 5K will start and end at State & James Streets, following the parade route up State to Washington Avenue, from Washington Avenue to Central Avenue, and west on Central before making a U-turn at Central & Quail Street and returning along the same path. A map of the course can be viewed here.
Sheehan says "Then we will be coming into downtown for the big event, the big parade at 2 o'clock," and Smith explains "It begins at Central Avenue and Quail Street, will go eastbound on Central Avenue to Washington Avenue down State to South Pearl Street and that begins at 2 o'clock. Central Avenue form Manning Boulevard all the way downtown will be closed. There are some parking restrictions on the website albanyny.gov for that parade. We just ask people to give themselves enough time if they do plan on coming into the city there will be some delays because of the road closures."
Mayor Sheehan says the big parade usually draws hundreds of spectators and the weather looks like it's going to be cooperative. The march will end "...at the Irish American Heritage Museum where they're gonna be having a family fun day with music and Irish dance and vendors."
- More information on the Irish Sweat-er 5K and the Irish American Heritage Museum can be found at irish-us.org.
Smith invites everyone to the Capital City. "Come out and enjoy the parade. It's a family fun event. We look forward to seeing many people out there and we just want people to be safe."
- Free parking is available at the Green-Hudson Garage, the Quackenbush Garage, the Riverfront Garage, and in on-street spaces. Visit www.parkalbany.com for details.
Also on Saturday across the Hudson River in Troy, it's the downtown St. Patrick's Day "Kilt Fest.” Katie Hammon is Executive Director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District: "It is from 12 o'clock noon to 8 p.m. and there's all sorts of things going on downtown between the bars and restaurants as well as some other participating locations. There's a shuttle going around so that you can have easy access to all of downtown Troy and beyond."
The New York State Police say troopers and local law enforcement will conduct special traffic enforcement efforts as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations get underway.
WAMC Guide to Parades and Parking
North Albany Limerick Parade – 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m.
North Albany Limerick Parade route:
Kick off – N. First Street west of N. Pearl Street at the North Albany American Legion Post; parade will proceed east to N. Pearl Street, then south of N. Pearl Street to Emmett Street; east on Emmett St. to Broadway; North on Broadway to Wolfert Avenue in the Village of Menands; back south on S. Pearl Street to N. First Street.
Road Closures:
- N. First Street between Broadway and Van Rensselaer Ave.
- N. Pearl Street between Wolfert Ave. and Emmett St.
- Broadway between Wolfert Ave. and Emmett St.
- N. Second Street, eastbound at Broadway & eastbound and westbound at N. Pearl St.
- N. Third Street, eastbound at Broadway & eastbound and westbound at N. Pearl St.
- Lawn Avenue, westbound at Broadway & eastbound and westbound at N. Pearl St.
- Bonheim Street, eastbound at Broadway & eastbound and westbound at N. Pearl St.
- Lindbergh Avenue, eastbound at Broadway & eastbound and westbound at N. Pearl St.
Parking Restrictions:
There will not be any parking restrictions for this parade.
Downtown Albany Irish Sweat-er 5K Run – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Downtown Albany Irish Sweat-er 5K Run will follow the same route as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The 5K will kick off at 12:00 Noon on 3/16/2019.
Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route:
Kick off – Central Avenue starting at Quail Street; parade will proceed east on Central Avenue to Washington Avenue; then east on Washington Avenue to State Street; east on State Street to Pearl Street. (5K will start and end on State Street between Broadway and Pearl Street using the Parade Route)
Road Closures (The following road closures will be in effect for both the 5K and Parade):
- At 11:00 a.m., Central Avenue between Manning Boulevard and Quail Street will be closed for parade lineup.
- At 11:00 a.m., the 5K & Parade Route will be closed to ALL Traffic.
- The parade will begin on Central Avenue starting at Quail Street, parade will proceed east on Central Avenue to Washington Avenue; then east on Washington Avenue to State Street; east on State Street to James Street.
- The following streets will be closed: Central Avenue from Manning Boulevard east to Washington Avenue, Washington Avenue from Central Avenue east to Washington Avenue/Eagle Street/State Street, State Street from Washington Avenue/Eagle Street east to Broadway.
- In addition, all cross streets along the parade route will be closed in preparation for and during the 5K and Parade. This will include Eagle Street as well as North and South Pearl Streets from Pine Street to Hudson Avenue.
Parking Restrictions (All for Saturday, March 16, 2019):
- Central Avenue, both sides from Ontario Street to Lake Avenue; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Quail Street, east side from Central Ave to Sherman St.; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Washington Avenue, south side from Dove St. to S. Swan St.; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Eagle Street, east side from Corning Pl. to Pine St.; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- State Street, both sides from Lark St. east 3 spaces on each side 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- State Street, south side from S. Swan St. east to Plaza Road east of Legislative Office Building 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- State Street, north side from Eagle Street to Pearl St.; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- State Street, both sides from Pearl St. to Broadway; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- S. Swan Street, east side from Madison Ave to Washington Ave.; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Broadway, both sides from Pine Street to Hudson Avenue; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The previously scheduled road closure and parking restrictions on Liberty Street between Division Street and Hudson Avenue have been cancelled.
