At the 47th St. Patrick’s Day parade in Salt Lake City, happening March 15, there will be even more of a reason to dress like a leprechaun. The theme of this year’s parade and party is “the spirit of Kells,” referring to the famous medieval illuminated manuscript , Irish folk tales, legends and mythology, as well as Irish storytelling, said Sean Clark, president of the Hibernian Society of Utah, which puts on the annual free event.
Clark said the theme was inspired by the creativity of the parade’s many entries, especially the depictions of leprechauns and fairies. “I think it’s going to be a popular theme with crowds,” he added. The parade will begin at 11 a.
m. on Saturday, at 600 West and 200 South. The route will continue east toward Rio Grande Street, then take a left on Rio Grande and head north through The Gateway mall.
Afterward, there will be the annual siamsa (an Irish word, pronounced “shee-am-sah,” and roughly meaning “folk entertainment” ), in the Olympic Plaza and along Rio Grande Street. The grand marshal of the parade will be Irish Minister of State Alan Dillon, a politician in the center-right Fine Gael party who retired from inter-county soccer in 2017, according to a news release. He led his team to six All-Ireland finals, the release said.
There will be five bars set up throughout the siamsa area: at 100 South, at 79 South, and on the second level near the bridge, as well as in the Olympic Plaza (the Mickey Gallivan Memorial Bar) and.
