Green light: Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day Parade still on

Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in September will proceed, officials said Friday.

The parade committee and its parent organization, the Irish Society for Education and Charity, announced they are “committed to move forward with our plan to hold a parade celebrating Irish heritage and culture in the Southwestern region of Pennsylvania.”

The Downtown parade, postponed in March because of the pandemic, is scheduled for Sept. 18 at at 10 a.m.

Committee members said they reviewed the current covid data and consulted with Mayor Bill Peduto and the Allegheny County Executive’s office. They urge participants and spectators to take proper precautions.

The parade features Irish bands, groups and dance organizations, as well as first responders. This date will celebrate what’s known as “halfway to St. Patrick’s Day.”

“We are looking forward to putting on an entertaining parade to celebrate before we begin planning for our traditional March festivities, which will be held on March 12, 2022,” parade chairman J. Mac McCafferty said in a statement. “The weather for September 18th cannot be guaranteed, but we feel confident to say it will be warmer than we are used to, which will bode well for participants and spectators alike.”

The day will begin with a Catholic Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in the Strip District.

Masks are required at Mass regardless of vaccination status.

The parade route begins at Liberty Avenue and travels down Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies to Stanwix Street.

There will be dancers in Market Square from the Shovlin School of Irish Dance and music from The Low Kings.

Last month, officials canceled the Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh because of increasing covid case numbers.