The 2024 Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival is only a few days away! If you’re still looking for plans leading up to the event, check out our post about What’s Going on BEFORE St. Patrick’s Day in Dogtown.

As far as St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to review our six-step checklist to help ensure your experience is as successful as possible!

1. MAKE A PLAN FOR PARKING OR GETTING A RIDE TO AND FROM DOGTOWN

Whether you live in Dogtown or are driving in for the day, you need to make sure you know where you will be able to park and what streets will be open to get in and out of the neighborhood. Be sure to review our detailed maps below (and visit our FAQs page) as you put your plan in place. Since day-of parking and street restrictions begin at 6:00 a.m., Dogtown residents parked along these streets are encouraged to move their vehicles the night before.

If you are a visitor, ride-hailing is a great option to get yourself to Dogtown without worrying about what roads are open and where to park. The ride-hailing pick-up area is located on on Oakland, just west of Hampton. Note: This location is different than last year, so be sure to plan accordingly!

Aside from street parking, parking is also available for a fee at the St. Louis Zoo parking lots (north of I-64 and off of Oakland and Berthold), St. James the Greater Parish Park Lot, Colombo’s Cafe & Tavern and the St. Louis Marketplace (off of Manchester).

No matter how you arrive in Dogtown, remember that you will not be able to cross Tamm Avenue while the parade is happening between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

2. GET YOUR GO-TO GREEN OUTFIT READY

Of course! Hopefully, you have already snagged some of Emily Stahl’s Dogtown stickers to wear with your Series Six official festival shirt. If you don’t have a go-to green outfit yet, don’t worry. Series Six still has plenty of green gear that you can pick up in-store at 3719 Watson Road on March 16. You can also stop by the Series Six booth in the Vendor Village at the Irish Festival on March 17 and get your gear on the go.

As of last year, parade are no longer allowed to pass out beads. So, don’t forget to bring your own green beads to wear and share with friends! But please refrain from throwing them to help us reduce waste from the neighborhood and resident’s private property.

3. PACK YOUR POCKETS AND PURSES

As has been the case since 2013, coolers and backpacks (as well as bottles and outside alcohol) are prohibited from the AOH Parade and Irish Festival. This presents a great opportunity to pack light and support local businesses and vendors. When you’re packing your purse and/or pockets, consider bringing some of these festival essentials:

Credit card and/or cash
While most vendors will accept credit cards, having cash on hand never hurts!
Sunglasses, hat
Fingers crossed for good weather…
Jacket, gloves, beanie
Rain or shine, Sunday is looking to be chilly.
Hand sanitizer
For use before, during, and after using the many portable toilets available throughout the neighborhood.
Child care accessories
Any containers needed for child care purposes will be allowed at the event.

4. KNOW THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:00 a.m. Irish Festival Begins

11:00 a.m. AOH Parade Begins

1:00 p.m. Live Music

The Wild Geese (until 3:00 p.m.)
Family Zone
Rust Nail (until 5:00 p.m.) - Party Zone
Funky Butt Brass Band (until 4:00 p.m.)
- Party Zone

6:00 p.m. Irish Festival Ends

8:00 p.m. All Local Businesses Close

Keep in mind that cell phone signals may be weak due to crowd size. When visitors are preparing to leave the festival, carve out some extra time to find cell service, hail a cab or ride-sharing accommodations, and make your way to the pick-up area.

5. BE RESPECTFUL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ITS RESIDENTS

As you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, be mindful that you are doing so in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Many of the sidewalks along the parade route are adjacent to residential homes and businesses. Please do not trespass on private property. While crowds may be larger around the intersection of Clayton and Tamm, it is usually less crowded towards the end of the parade route towards Manchester.

There will be numerous dumpsters and trash barrels throughout the neighborhood, so be sure to dispose of trash in the proper receptacles. If you are interested in helping with the neighborhood clean-up, please sign up for one of our volunteer shifts here. You can also show up on March 18 at 9:00 a.m. (no sign up required) at the gazebo between Clayton and Wise to help us collect trash.

Portable toilets are available at every intersection across Tamm. Public urinating will not be tolerated.

Dogtown residents, business owners and staff, security officials, and event managers will be making every effort to ensure the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival is enjoyable for all who attend. In appreciation of their efforts, please be courteous and respectful - and have fun!

6. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

As you are celebrating (or later when you’re on WiFi), share your experience on social by tagging @dogtownunited (on Facebook or Instagram) and using #DogtownIrishFestival. You can also tag some of the partners and sponsors. We love to see your photos! If you are a professional photographer or are interested in making your photos available to use in marketing for next year’s event, please email dogtownunited@gmail.com for more information.

Have a great time tomorrow and be safe. Sláinte!