Uptown Saturday: St. Patrick’s Parade Takes Over the Streets!

On Saturday, March 15, the city of Sedona will host the 53rd annual St. Patrick’s Parade along Jordan Road, starting at 10:30 a.m. This year, thirty-one groups are set to participate, celebrating the spirit of the holiday, even though St. Patrick’s Day falls on Monday, March 17. Last year, approximately 1,400 people attended the event, with past years seeing attendance soar to 3,000 depending on weather conditions.

“It’s a fun, traditional community event where we get to do something different that a lot of the other communities around don’t,” said Sedona Parks and Recreation Manager Josh Frewin. “So it makes Sedona the place to come for St. Patrick’s and have a great time.”

To accommodate the parade, Jordan Road will close from 7 a.m. until around 1:30 p.m., ensuring access remains open for homeowners on adjacent streets. The main city parking lot at Schnebly Road and Peach Lane will also be closed, designated as a staging area for parade participants.

This year’s lineup boasts notable participants, including the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society and the Sedona Heritage Museum. For the first time, the Phoenix Pipe Band will perform, bringing a rich tradition to the festivities. “They’ll perform the whole way down the parade route and take a little extra time in front of the judges’ stand,” Frewin explained. Established in 1958, the Phoenix Pipe Band is recognized as Arizona’s longest-running pipe band.

Judging the parade will be City Manager Anette Spickard, Director of Public Works Kurt Harris, and Assistant City Attorney Monique Coady. Unlike previous years, this event will not feature a grand marshal, but attendees can look forward to the appearance of the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s Tribal Royalty Court. In their float description, the Royalty Court extends a celebratory message, introducing newly crowned royalty members across various titles.

Additionally, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office will participate with a DUI command center truck and patrol car. “YCSO and Sheriff David Rhodes urge all residents and visitors to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly,” the float description advised, promoting the use of designated drivers.

Last-minute participant inquiries can be directed to Sedona Parks and Recreation at rec@sedona.az.gov or by phone at (928) 282-7098. To learn more about the parade, interested individuals can visit sedonaaz.gov.