March 16, 2019, Saturday - 51st Annual Mpls St Patrick’s Day Parade

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Nicollet Mall

2019 Mpls St Patrick’s Day Parade

The Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Association, or MSPDA, was founded in 1969 by Sean and Judith Clerkin. With their active participation in the community and desire to celebrate Minnesota's Irish-American heritage, the Clerkins decided to begin a tradition of supporting the diabetic community by donating to the American Diabetes Association, raising money through St. Patrick's Day parade events and contests.

Besides donating 100% of proceedings to the American Diabetes Association, MSPDA raises money for Camp Needlepoint, a summer camp for children living with diabetes. Members of the MSPDA community, from Ms. Blarney to friends of the association, sell buttons and paper shamrocks to raise funds for the children at camp.

Promotion of MSPDA is done through various parade events and contests. These include:

• The Blarney Princess contest
• The Wee Leprechauns contest
• Nomination of the Kilt Bohys
• Honoring Irish-American community members
• Paper Shamrocks with friends of MSPDA
• Selling of MSPDA Buttons