Get Ready For The Annual Sioux Falls St. Patrick's Day Parade

The 44th Annual Sioux Falls St. Patrick's Day Parade is on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in downtown Sioux Falls. Admission is free.

This year's festivities officially kick off at 11:00 AM with the annual Painting of the Shamrock that takes place in downtown Sioux Falls in front of The First National Bank at 100 S Phillips Avenue (MAP).

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When Does The Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023 Start?

The 2024 parade will begin at 2:00 PM on March 16 at 13th Street and Phillips Avenue in Sioux Falls. The parade will then go down Phillips ending near Fifth Street. If you are participating in the parade itself they do require that you have the "official" St. Patrick´s Day Parade buttons.

Streets around the route will close at 1:30 PM., Parking is not allowed on Phillips starting late Saturday morning.

MORE FROM RESULTS-TOWNSQUARE MEDIA SIOUX FALLS:

Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day activities also include:

The Vanguard Squadron will have a flyby at the start of the parade, weather permitting.
The falls of the Big Sioux River will be lit green on March 16 and 17.
The Lucky 7’s will host a one-mile, five-mile, and 5K run on parade day.

Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day 2024 Parade Route:

Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

Who is the Grand Marshal of the Sioux Falls 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

A member of the Sioux Falls community for over 40 years, Denise Ferrie has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade by the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza Committee.

Ferrie's mother and grandmother were born in Ireland. She has visited the Emerald Isle several times, including spending time in a home that's been in her family for 400 years.

Iconic Sioux Falls: Phillips Avenue Diner, a Downtown Gem

I'll never forget the best malt I ever had. It was many years ago at a new restaurant in Sioux Falls. The restaurant was housed in a silver Airstream trailer on Louise Avenue and was called The Market Diner. The malt was so creamy and I think it was probably the first time I'd ever had whipped cream on top of a malt.

The Market Diner was a unique '50s-style dining experience with neon signs, classic vinyl booths, stainless steel counter stools, and even a jukebox.

That was over 20 years ago. The Market Diner became Dixie Brothers Grill and eventually closed.

A few years later, the trailer was moved to a downtown location on Phillips Avenue, extensively remodeled and renamed Phillips Avenue Diner. The malts have not changed, nor has the diner ambiance.

POSE: Phillips Avenue Diner is South Dakota's Most Instagrammed Restaurant

My niece Ashlea and I ventured downtown and had lunch at Phillips Avenue Diner. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. It's diner classics turned up a notch.

The breakfast menu includes omelets, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, and of course waffles. Recently, Phillips Avenue Diner's waffles were named the best in South Dakota according to Food Network.

Ashlea had the Ranch Burger and it came topped with bacon, onion rings, American cheese, and BBQ sauce. She substituted sweet potato fries.

My selection was the Burger of Champions. You can substitute a chicken breast for any burger, so I had mine with chicken, Applewood bacon, ham, and American cheese. It also comes with a hard-fried egg on top, but I chose to hold that.

Eat local. Some of the best food and atmosphere can be found at local, non-national chain restaurants. Try Phillips Avenue Diner at 121 S. Phillips Avenue and explore downtown Sioux Falls while you're at it.

Check out the menu here and enjoy one of Sioux Falls' iconic restaurants.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown