Community Corner
A Parade You Don't Want to Miss
St. Patrick's Day parade takes to the streets Saturday.
Where is the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Bay Area? Right here in Dublin.
Every year since 1984, the Dublin Lions have put on the , the kickoff for the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This year’s parade happens Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
The routes have changed, the participants have increased, but one of the biggest annual events in the Tri-Valley remains a constant.
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“It’s always been a good-time parade,” said Bill Burnham, Dublin Lions Club president and parade director. “It’s for the kids.”
He said that more than 80 groups have requested entry into this year’s parade, which kicks off at Dublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza Road.
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Entries include a number of marching bands – including from and , civic organizations, Scout troops and about two dozen organizations from outside Dublin.
Participants also include KSFO Radio and NBC-Channel 11.
“It’s more than last year and in those 80 entries there are about 3,000 participants,” Burnham said.
About 10,000 spectators will line the parade route, according to Burnham, which moves from Dublin Boulevard to (north) Village Parkway to (west) Amador Valley Boulevard and ends in front of the Target store.
Parade watchers begin staking out their places early in the morning and there will be traffic diversions and detours. Bleacher seating will be installed in front of Oil Changers at the corner of Village Parkway and Amador Valley.
It’s suggested that parade watchers bring low-back chairs and a blanket to escape the morning chill.
David Grant, the mayor of Dublin’s sister city in Brea, Ireland, will serve as grand marshal.
But Burnham says he has people from San Francisco — site of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Bay Area— calling him to get details about the Dublin event.
Mayor Tim Sbranti, who grew up in Dublin, called the parade one of the city’s best traditions.
"The St. Patrick's parade is one of Dublin's greatest ways to bring the community together,” he said.
“It is an opportunity to showcase all of the best that Dublin has to offer and I think it's great that so many people of all ages in our city get the opportunity to participate."
