Family Fun Events on St. Patrick's Day in Your City

St. Patrick's Day has always been associated with plenty of green beer and all things Irish - but for those of you with families seeking for a fun and family-friendly way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Toronto, read on for some great alternatives that will have your entire family Irish for the Day and happy to be so!

Let's start off with the classic Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade! One of the largest parades in the world, it's due to be held on Saturday, March 16^th in downtown Toronto and is free and open to the public! The parade route starts from Bloor Street and St. George (near the old University of Toronto Varsity Stadium, for those who know the area!) and moves east along Bloor Street. When it reaches the center of Toronto at Bloor and Yonge Street it then will turn and go south for a few city blocks, turning on Queen Street and finishing up at Nathan Philips Square. Having attended many of these parades I can tell you that depending on where you can leave the subway that your best viewing chances might be on Yonge Street since the slope of the street allows you to see more floats and exhibitions than in other areas, but be aware that to get a front seat spot you'll have to rise early in the morning and get out there!

The parade will have plenty of bands to get you in the festive mood - among them will be the York Regional Pipes and Drums and the Toronto Police Pipes and Drums, so be sure to cover your ears when the pipes get a-blowing! Irish Dancers and representatives of various organizations will also be marching in the parade, so be sure to mark this on your calendar as a great event for you to bring your family to for St. Patrick's Day!

One thing to note will be the weather - although the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Toronto will go off, rain or shine, you will have to prepare for the elements. The parade route is in the open for the majority of the time and there is very little, if any, shelter available for children or for adults if it starts to rain heavily or snow. However, there are plenty of excellent shopping venues along Yonge Street that will allow you to duck inside and perhaps even purchase some souvenirs of your visit to Toronto while you're there!

Of all the St. Patrick Day Parades in the world, the one held in Toronto, Canada is one of the largest and one of the most varied, tapping into the multicultural fabric of one of the greatest cities in Canada! Why not bring your family out to the St. Patrick's Day Parade and celebrate your Irish?