Saturday, March 16, 2024
Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Parade: 9 AM
Festival: 11 AM - 4 PM
Free Admission/Free Parking
One Day Rain or Shine Event*
* unless forecast includes unsafe weather conditions
General Information: Parade
North Myrtle Beach welcomes you to a sea of green! The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest on the Grand Strand with over 100 parade entries and a long history of fun. Masses of people line Main Street each year to get a glimpse of this magical parade. The parade begins promptly at 9:00 AM. Be sure to set up by 8:30 AM with your friends, family, beach chairs, blankets, and golf carts. You don’t want to miss this two-hour phenomenon.
The parade route and direction will be the same as in 2023, starting on Ocean Boulevard and ending at Ye Olde Kings Hwy. The parade will begin on Ocean Boulevard at 2ndAve North and proceed south to 1stAvenue South. At the intersection of 1stAvenue South and Ocean Boulevard the parade turns right onto 1stAvenue South, then right onto Hillside Drive, then left onto Main Street, and traveling on Main Street to Ye Olde Kings Highway to conclude the parade route.
The parade staging and line up will occur at 7:00 am on Ocean Boulevard from 2nd Ave North to 11th Ave North. Southbound lanes on Ocean Boulevard from 11th Ave North to 1st Ave South will be closed to traffic from 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM. From 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM the closure will include both southbound and northbound lanes from 2nd Ave North to 1st Ave South.
An emcee announcing parade participants will be stationed at the entrance of the Horseshoe. Judges will also be stationed at the Horseshoe to vote for their “Best” parade entries.
WPDE personalities, Ed Piotrowski, Connor Ingalls and Jennifer Abney, will be announcing the parade at the Community Stage located at Main Street and N. Oak Drive. For those that can’t make the parade in person, it will be broadcast LIVE on CW21.
This fun-loving parade of St. Patrick’s Day themed and decorated floats is a 34 year tradition on the streets of North Myrtle Beach. It is a great time for all ages and kicks off the 34th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival taking place on Main Street from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
General Information: Festival
After the parade, continue the fun with a street festival! Three stages of live entertainment will keep you in the Irish spirit all day. Expect Irish Pipe Bands, Irish Dancers, and many more live performances.
Over 120 vendors will display their crafts. Food vendors and Main Street businesses will have a variety of Irish treats and festival food favorites for everyone to enjoy. Keep an eye out for all the street entertainers and leprechauns that scurry around this festival. Bring the “wee” ones to enjoy the children’s area that is full of rides and games for all ages.
Festivities end at 4:00 PM, but before you leave, stop by the Information/Parks and Recreation tent to purchase a souvenir t-shirt to end your glorious day! T-shirt quantities are limited so purchase your souvenir t-shirt early at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center the week of the festival.
Contests:
Leprechaun Contest / Jr. Leprechaun Contest
Show off your love of all things Irish by competing in the 34rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival Leprechaun Contest. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, appearance, enthusiasm and energy. Sign up at the information booth or the Irish Stage before 2:00 pm. Contest will be at the Irish stage at 2:30 pm.
Shepard's Pie Eating Contest
First to clear their plate (without using their hands) wins an awesome plaque and gift card. Sign up at the information booth or the Irish stage before 2:00 pm. Contest will be at the Irish stage at 2:30 pm.
Entertainment Schedule:
Irish Stage | Sponsored by Flynn’s Irish Tavern (located across from Flynn's Irish Tavern)
11am-12pm Clover's Revenge
12pm Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes and Drums
12:30-1:30 Clover's Revenge
1:30 Leprechaun Contest / Shepherds Pie Eating Contest
2pm - 4pm Tan & Sober Gentlemen
Community Stage | Sponsored by Freedom Boat Club (located at N. Oak Drive)
11am-1130am Triple Toe Cloggers
11:30am Parade Awards
12pm-1:30pm Ryan Perry
1:30pm Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes and Drums
2pm - 4pm Rivermist
Ocean Stage | Sponsored by TBD (located near Ocean Blvd.)
11am-1pm Black Glass
1pm-2pm Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore
2pm-4pm Ace Party Band
Kids Area:
Rides and games for all ages!
Food Area:
Irish food and festival favorites!
Parade Entries:
2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade Application
Parade entries are handled by The Optimist Club - any questions or completed applications should be sent to The Optimist Club as directed on the application.
Parade Route:
The parade staging and line up occurs on Ocean Blvd. from 2nd Ave. N. to 11th Ave. N. Your parade assigned number will be painted on the road. The actual parade will begin on Ocean Blvd. at 2nd Ave N. and proceeds south to 1st Ave. S. At the intersection of 1st Ave. S. and Ocean Blvd. parade entries turn right onto 1st Ave. S., then turn right onto Hillside Dr., then left onto Main St., traveling to Ye Olde Kings Highway to conclude the parade route. The judging stage is located at the corner of Main St. and Hillside Drive. First, second, and third place awards will be given in three different categories; business, nonprofit, and marching bands.
Festival Vendors
Pay your vendor invoice here.You must be logged into your Civic Rec account used to submit your application. Once logged in, you will see an orange Pat button on the top right. Mobile devices may have issues with the pay feature and should try on a desktop if no invoice is found.
Festival Vendor Applications: Apply Here!*
*Applications are closed for 2024. Waitlist applications are being accepted via the link above.
Applications Accepted: Monday, November 6, 2023 at 5 pm through Friday, December 15, 2023
Vendor Invitations and Denials: Notified by Wednesday, January 12, 2024 via email
Waitlist Applications**: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 through Friday, March 15, 2023
**Waitlist applicants will be contacted ONLY if they are being invited to participate as a vendor in the festival.
Please do not contact the parks and recreation department in regards to waitlist inquiries.
Any inquiries will not be responded to regarding the waitlist.
Traffic Information
The parade staging and line up will occur at 7:00 AM on Ocean Boulevard from 2ndAve North to 11thAve North. Southbound lanes on Ocean Boulevard from 11thAve North to 1st Ave South will be closed to traffic from 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM. From 9:00 AM -11:00 AM the closure will include both southbound and northbound lanes from 2ndAve North to 1st Ave South.
Main Street from Ash Street to Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Main Street to Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM for the parade. Main Street becomes festival area from Ash Street to Ocean Blvd after the parade until 6:00 PM.
The parade will begin at 9:00 AM. Ocean Boulevard will be open to vehicular traffic until 8:30 AM and is expected to reopen around 11:30 AM, immediately following the parade.
Free Event Parking
• Corner of 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Blvd.
• Corner of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Blvd.
• Free shuttle service 8 AM - 5 PM from: Ocean Drive Elementary School (901 11th Avenue North, NMB)
• McLean Park: 93 Oak Drive
