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St. Patrick's Day Parade & Family Festival

Date: 3/12/05

Spectators of all ages will delight in this colorful St. Patrick's Day Parade as it winds its way through the streets around Balboa Park. Bands, floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, dancers, clowns, pipers and Irish setters will all be a part of this lively event celebrating Irish heritage. The fun continues after the Parade at the Irish Family Festival with food beverages, and Irish crafts. Two stages, dedicated to the joy of Irish music and dance, will feature performances by the San Diego City Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipes and Drum and other musicians who promise to deliver haunting ballads and lots of hand-clapping, foot-stomping, rip-roaring tunes!

Other Fabulous Highlights:
Winter Vacation Specials, Carlsbad Flower Fields , Arts & Culture Scene

The Facts

Irish Congress of Southern California's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, Balboa Park
Parade: begins at 11am
Festival: grounds open 10am - 6pm; music performances begin at 1pm
Information: 858-268-9111 or www.stpatsparade.org
Admission: Free

Parade Route

The 1.6 mile parade route starts at 6th & Juniper, proceeds west to 5th Avenue, then north on 5th to Upas, east on Upas to 6th Avenue, south on 6th to Laurel.

Irish Family Festival Location

The festival is located between 6th Ave. & Balboa Dr. and Laurel St. & Olive St

Parade & Festival Tram Service

Free, round-trip tram service provided by Old Town Trolley Tours will run from Tram Central at the Inspiration Point parking lot on Park Blvd. and President's Way to the intersection of Balboa Dr. & El Prado. Hours of operation are 8am-5:30pm with departures every 15 minutes.

Information: 619-298-8687.

Great Hotel Offerings

Days Inn Hotel Circle by SeaWorld - Rates starting from $68 based on availability
Comfort Inn & Suites Zoo / SeaWorld Area - Rates starting from $69.95 based on availability
Best Western Seven Seas - Rates starting from $79 based on availability
Best Western Cabrillo Garden Inn - Rates starting from $99 based on availability
Bristol Hotel - Rates starting from $99 based on availability
Sommerset Suites Hotel - Rates starting from $105 based on availability
Sheraton San Diego Hotel, Mission Valley - Rates starting from $119 based on availability

Exclusive Internet Discount Package - Town and Country Resort - Rates starting from $79 based on availability

Hot Tip

On March 17, the Gaslamp Quarter will roll out the green carpet -30,000 sq. ft. of Astro Turf to be exact - for the "biggest St. Patrick's Day block party west of the Mississippi." The Miller Lite & Guinness ShamROCK presented by Bushmills will feature an evening of Irish food, live music and dance. Many Gaslamp Quarter clubs and restaurants will offer food and drink specials. Face painters, stilt walkers, and The Rad Hatter hat maker will add to the entertainment.

Hours: 4pm-midnight
Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the 5th & G St. gate. Ages 21 and up only with valid I.D.
Information: 619-233-5008 or www.gaslampquarter.org


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