The 161st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Francisco is a well established event with historic ties to the city. The parade itself is a huge draw for attendees from all different demographics and ethnicity.

The addition of the Festival after the parade provides a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about Irish history and culture while having fun experiencing the event. A full day of activity is planned for the St. Patrick's Day Festival at Civic Center Plaza and on Grove Street, Polk to Larkin Street.

The colorful festivities surrounding the parade will showcase Irish Culture through live performance and entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, food and beverage concessions, children's rides and inflatables, cultural displays, a petting zoo and pony ride and a number of non-profits booths representing the Irish community.

The Festival will take place, before, during and after the Parade on Saturday. The Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the corner of Second and Market, where more than 5,000 participants from all over the states, will reel about with laughter and revelry all the way to City Hall. Join us for this great San Francisco event, which is the largest St. Patrick's day event west of the Mississippi.

To request accommodations for persons with disabilities or if you have communication needs such as large print, braille or sign language interpreters, please call 1-800-310-6563 or fax us at 415-456-6436 at least three weeks prior to the event.

For all your public transportation options, visit www.511.org.

BART or Muni Metro Riders: