Louisville's St. Patrick's Day Parade

Louisville's St. Patrick's Day Parade is usually scheduled for the weekend before March 17th. The Irish community of Louisville, Kentucky take to the streets to commemorate St. Patrick.

In preparation for Sunday's celebration of all things Irish, here are some photos of the saints and scholars who marched, rode their bikes, drove their cars or waved from numerous green parade floats, on one such Irish Saturday.

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Saint Patrick's Parades In America

I love the Saint Patrick's Day parades, organized all over America in March. It amazes me how so many people turn out to celebrate our Irish heritage.

Ireland is an island with a population of around 6 million people. For such a tiny country we've left a big mark on American culture.

In today's post we're going to celebrate the Louisville Saint Patrick's Day parade. This is the day when this city on the banks of the Ohio river in Kentucky turns forty shades of green.

People come out in droves, to celebrate all things Irish.

Celebrating Being Irish in Kentucky

People are in a festive mood for these shamrock themed celebrations.

The party mood is felt by yound and old alike.

And if you have red hair, then you definitely are Irish for this day and possibly everyday.

Saint Patrick Leads The Parade

And of course no Paddy's Day parade would be complete without the man himself.

With shamrock crozier in hand, he marches out to set the pace for all to follow.

He is the leader of the Gael and all the dancing leprechauns who love to march in his footsteps.

Leprechauns Of Every Shape and Size 

Now leprechauns love a good parade.

They arrived sporting shamrock costumes, green wigs and pots of gold. 

Rainbows are a must on this special day.

Pots of gold may be found all over the streets of Louisville.

The dance of choice was the Harlam Shamrock Shake.

The streets filled with dancers, eager to dance an Irish dance whether it be a reel, a jig, or that shamrock shake.

Horses and Dogs To Celebrate Being Irish

Now Louisville is famed for its love of horses and that famous race, the Kentucky Derby.

Derby floats are a specialty in this neck of the woods, so why not add a little Irish flair to a float for the day.

And not only horses participated in this Irish of Irish celebrations.

Plenty of dogs arrived to watch the festivities.

Remember, everyone is Irish during the month of March.

Thank you America for loving all things Irish and celebrating with us on this Irish of Irish days.

Everyone donned their best green shirt.

Everyone got into the spirit of the occasion.

Tartan and Kilts

Tartan hats and kilts were worn by many.

And of course you need some Irish braces to hold up your kilt.

Everyone was Irish and awesome.

 Irish pride was truly on display.

Many of the floats were very inventive.

Forty Shades of Green

One display that really caught my eye was the one organized by the forty shades of green team.

All the participants wore a green lampshade on their head.

The floats were cool, imaginative and fun. People shouted their hearts out, sang a few Irish songs and entertained the crowds with gusto.

What a day to be Irish, or Irish at heart.

My little Irish gal proudly held her green balloon.

She paraded with the McClanahan School of Irish Dancing team.

She's wearing the green neckband and holding with the baloon over her head, and one on her lap.

 Soldiers from days gone by appeared in full uniform.

There were pots of gold with green and white rainbows.

Rainbows of green pointed the way towards pots of gold.

The people of Louisville's creative juices flowed with many spectacular floats on display.

And golden dog treats dangled from multi-colored rainbows on this float created by a pet center.

The participants handed out candy to children and adults who lined Bardstown Road to watch the parade go by.

What a day of sharing a generosity. It was like Halloween in March.

 And finally Shamrock Man, clothed from head to toe in Irish green with Guinness briefs, saluted all the parade goers.

A great day was had by all, as Louisville happily and eagerly celebrated Ireland and St. Patrick.