Iowa & Illinois’ St. Patrick’s Parade Is One Of A Kind In America
Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, it's always fun to share this cool fact about the Quad Cities parade honoring the patron saint of Ireland. On March 18th, 2023, for the 37th year in a row, Iowa and Illinois will be the only two states to hold a St. Patrick's Day parade unlike any other in America.
The St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities will once again hold America's only bi-state St. Patrick's Day Parade. Get your pot of gold and four-leaf clovers ready, because this unique parade is coming up on Saturday, March 18th.
America's Only Bi-State St. Patrick's Day Parade
What you might not know about The Grand Parade put on by the St. Patrick's Society is that it's a very unique St. Patrick's Day parade. While many cities and towns across America celebrate the patron saint of Ireland with parades and parties, The Grand Parade is the only St. Patrick's Day parade in America that spans two states.
For the past 36, almost 37 years, The Grand Parade begins in Rock Island, IL, and finishes in Davenport, IA making it the only bi-state parade of its kind in America
The founders of the St. Patrick's Society and The Grand Parade wanted to make sure the parade was the best St. Patrick's Day parade the Quad Cities had ever seen. Clearly, it worked because the bi-state St. Patrick's Day in the Quad Cities has happened every year for 37 years. You can read more about The Founders and their interesting beginnings, here.
The XXXVII Grand Parade Route
According to St. Patrick's Society officials, the day begins on Saturday, March 18, 2023, with Mass at St. Mary’s (2204 4th Ave. Rock Island) at 10:00 a.m., then the St. Patrick’s Grand Parade will start at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street in Rock Island.
The parade will travel through downtown Rock Island, across the Mississippi River over the Talbot/Centennial Bridge to W 3rd St., and proceed east through downtown Davenport to the RiverCenter at E 3rd and Perry Streets.
The Post-Parade Bash will take place at the RiverCenter from 1-4 p.m. with other parties being held at various bars and restaurants in downtown Davenport
More Facts About The Quad Cities
The Quad Cities being home to America's only bi-state St. Patrick's Day Parade is fact #20 on the list below. Check out 99 other interesting facts you may or may not know about the Quad Cities below!