ST. LOUIS — Participants and performers are gearing up for the 56th annual Metropolitan St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for Saturday.

Bringing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the city, the parade will feature more than 135 floats, marching bands, large helium balloons, huge cartoon character balloons, Irish dancers and more, according to parade director Kevin Griffin.

“We’re expecting great weather for the parade. It should be 65 degrees and sunny,” Griffin said. “Looking forward to lots of smiling Irish eyes and plenty of green.”

Planning the parade is a year-long endeavor, according to Griffin, who mentioned his grandfather was one of the original committee members back in 1971.

“I’m grateful to carry on that tradition. There’s a lot of history within the parade itself and within the Irish community within St. Louis,” he said, adding that it’s an honor to pay tribute to the history.

This year, MindsEye, a nonprofit that translates vision into audio experiences for those with impairments, will have two announcers on site. They will describe the parade where people can listen through an app.

Beginning at noon, the parade will start at 8th and Market streets and proceed to west, ending at 22nd Street.

Parade founder Joseph B. McGlynn, Jr., will lead this year’s parade along with Irish Dignitary Sen. Shane Curley and honorary parade marshal Eamonn Wall, in addition to local and regional officials.  

“The parade is a great tradition for the Irish culture and the Irish heritage here in St. Louis,” said John McCarthy, parade committee chairman.

“All of the families love to come down and watch the parade. It’s always a lot of fun.”

McCarthy has been involved with the parade for more than 50 years, following in the footsteps of his father and brother.

“It’s always been a family affair with us,” he said, adding that his daughter is now on the parade committee. "We look forward to joy that (the parade) brings to the whole community."

Meghan Torno School of Irish Dance has been taking part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the past 20 years, according to instructor Nora Joyce.

“These girls start training for St. Patrick’s Day in early January. We have practices almost every day of the week to get prepared for the best holiday of the year,” Joyce said.

Approximately 70 students will dance in the parade.

“These girls are very busy, very hard working,” Joyce said.

Irish dancer Lily Granneman has been participating in the parade for 11 years, the same amount of time she has been dancing.

She looks forward to the memories and friendships each year.

“One of the most incredible feelings in the world is to be up there and have all of these people cheering for you and just doing what you love. It’s really incredible,” Granneman said.

Before the parade, the 47th Michelob Ultra Saint Patrick’s Day five-mile run and 3K shuffle will start at 9 a.m.

Participants can travel through scenic downtown and mid-town on the parade route.

“It’s a fantastic St. Louis run,” said Jim Crowe, chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run.

The event features Irish music on Broadway, near Busch Stadium, and Ballpark Village, which creates a vibe, Crowe said.

Afterward, there is a runner’s village that features music, an awards ceremony and complimentary Michelob Utras for those 21 and up.

Crowe mentioned he enjoys seeing participants travel under big Irish American flags on Market Street. Approximately 3,000 people will participate this year in the five-mile run and 3K shuffle.

If participants refer three people, they can run or walk for free. They also can receive a refund as part of a group of 10 or more.

Motorists should be aware of many street closures before and during the parade and run. Griffin advises spectators to plan ahead for parking and arrive early.

For full details, head to the Metropolitan St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade website.