In efforts to make this year’s celebration more family friendly, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route will end on State Street rather than proceeding all the way to North Pearl Street.
This is the city’s solution to minor incidents that have been reported in the past. St. Patrick’s Day fans usually pack North Pearl Street, and the bars that are found there.
Business owners are hoping that the changes don’t have a huge effect on crowds and festivities on March 17th. I’m willing to bet that the same people that went to McGeary’s Irish Pub last year will be coming back this year regardless of where the parade ends.
Mayor Jerry Jennings stressed that the changes are unrelated to the rioting that occurred at kegs and eggs last year.
