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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE 42ND ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE,
33RD ANNUAL MICHELOB ULTRA ST. PATRICK'S DAY RUN
WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY, MARCH 12
The Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in St. Louis will take place on Saturday, March 12 (the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day - March 17). Leading the 42nd
annual parade will be parade founder and St. Louis Irish Consul Joseph McGlynn, Jr.; Parade Committee Chairperson Michael Gentry; Irish Guest of Honor the
Honorable Dinny McGinley, member of the Irish Parliament representing County Donegal; Honorary Parade Marshal Charles P. Gallagher, Sr., chairman of United
Industries; Mayor Francis Slay; County Executive Charlie Dooley; and other dignitaries.
The parade steps off at noon from 18th and Market Streets and proceeds east on Market to Broadway and then south on Broadway. where it will disband. Market
Street will be closed at 7:30 a.m. from Compton to Broadway. Parade units will stage starting at 7:30 a.m. from Compton to 18th Street.
The parade, also known as St. Louis' "Rite of Spring," will feature over 120 units, including bands, large helium-filled balloons, and over 5,000
marchers.
A Marine color guard from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment based in St. Louis will lead the parade. In the past with good weather, more than 350,000
spectators have gathered along Market Street to watch the elaborate floats, marching bands, marching units, dance groups, animal units, novelty units, and
motorized units.
The children's favorites – giant cartoon character helium-filled balloons – will be featured in the parade. Each balloon will have its own team of
handlers, usually employees of the corporate sponsor of the balloon in question.
St. Pat's Run
McGlynn noted the support the run has received over the years from Anheuser-Busch, "From the very first run 33 years ago, Anheuser-Busch was there
supporting our efforts." The 33rd Annual Michelob ULTRA St. Patrick's Day Parade Run will precede the parade at
9 a.m. The St. Patrick's Day Parade Run is St. Louis' largest locally organized run. This year it covers a five-mile course, which will begin and conclude
on Broadway just south of the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark hotel (Broadway between Walnut and
Clark Streets).
Over 12,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers of all ages participated in the 2010 St. Patrick's Day Run. There are 13 different age categories for both
male and female competitive runners, ranging in age from under 14 to 70-plus years. Prizes will be awarded in age categories for both men and women,
including "14 and under" and "70 and over."
Runners may register online,
by mail, or
in person. All runners (registering by March 6) will be issued
timing chips affixed to their bib numbers. The chips are disposable and do not need to be returned. Wearing the
chip is the choice of the runner, but only those top finishers with chip-recorded times will be eligible for prizes. Runners must register by March 6 to
receive a timing chip. We have eliminated the distinction of "competitive" and "non-competitive" categories. Past top finishers will be issued special bib
numbers so they can start closer to the front of the pack.
The fastest and least expensive way to register is online at www.StPatsRun.com. The cost is $22 plus online fee through
February 28. From March 1-10, the cost is $25 plus online fee. Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m on March 10. Runners can also enter in person at any of
our five in-person registration spots: Toolen's Running Start in Shiloh, IL; Big River Running's West St. County, South City and Fenton, MO locations from
March 7 through March 10 and at Rio Syrup Company, Inc., from March 7-11 for $21. Consult www.StPatsRun.com for
addresses and hours of operation. Note that timing chips will be distributed along with bib numbers and T-shirts (while available) only through March 6.
No chips will be given to those registering after March 6. Mail registration forms should be mailed to St. Pat's Run, c/o Data Dash, 3928 Delor, St. Louis, MO
63116 by March 4 along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for $25 per runner. Runners can also register on the day of the run starting at 7:30
a.m. just opposite Busch Stadium Gate #5 on Clark Street for $30 cash. No timing chips will be distributed to day-of registrants.
For more information visit www.StPatsRun.com or call: (314) 231-2598.
 Michelob ULTRA Runners'
Village
Immediately south of the finish line on Broadway, runners can enjoy the Michelob ULTRA Runners Village on the south side of the Hilton St. Louis at the
Ballpark hotel where they will receive water, energy drink, and a sample of Michelob ULTRA for all registered finishers 21-years or older. The runners can
then walk through the hotel to reach the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Irish Village in Kiener Plaza. The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark is the official
hotel of the St. Patrick's Day Run and Parade. For information on special St. Patrick's Day Parade and Run room packages, visit the hotel's
"Hotel Specials" page of its website at
www.hiltonstlouis.com or call 314-421-1776.
 Hilton
St. Louis at the Ballpark Irish Village
The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Irish Village at Kiener Plaza opens at 9:00
a.m. on parade day and closes at 6 p.m. The Irish Village will feature a main stage and food and beverage booths provided by the Hilton St. Louis at the
Ballpark, Seven Gables Inn, and Molly Darcy's. There also will be Irish novelties, free inflatable bounce rides for children and other family activities,
free face painting, jugglers, balloon sculptures, and meeting Louie, the Blues mascot.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Michelob Ultra St. Patrick's Day Parade Run celebration kicks off Friday night, March 11 at the Hilton St. Louis at the
Ballpark, 1 South Broadway, with cocktails and dinner. For further information, call 314-241-PATS or visit our website at
www.irishparade.org.
For more information on the parade and attendant activities, call (314) 241-PATS or contact the parade's and run's website at
www.irishparade.org. For run information, go to www.StPatsRun.com.
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