SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Downtown South Bend announced on Thursday that the St. Patrick's Day Parade originally scheduled for March 15, has been rescheduled to the following Saturday.

"Due to dangerously high winds in the forecast (gusts up to 50 mph), we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the parade," DTSB said. "The new date is Saturday, March 22, with the same staging and start times. Public safety is our top priority, and we want everyone to have a safe & fun parade day!"

Several additional St. Patrick’s festivities will still be taking place this weekend:

• The Official DTSB Shamrock Shuttle Pub Crawl Friday, March 14 from 5 pm to midnight with shuttle service to 15 downtown pubs plus food/drink specials and entertainment. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day-of, and can be purchased on the DTSB website.
• The Teeling Irish Whiskey Weekend March 14 and 15, with custom Teeling cocktail creations at participating downtown bars/restaurants and a social media contest with a prize package of ND football tickets, a stay at the Aloft Hotel, and a gift card to LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern. Check the DTSB Facebook and website for full details.
• The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at St. Hedwig’s Parish March 15 from noon to 4 pm, featuring corned beef & cabbage, Irish dance and music.
• St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Fiddler’s Hearth all day on March 17 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Full statement from DTSB:

Due to the forecast of dangerously high winds, DTSB has decided to reschedule the 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade to Saturday, March 22 at 11 am in the interest of public safety. The parade is presented by Teeling Irish Whiskey and will feature over 50 floats and walking units traveling west on Jefferson Blvd. from Notre Dame Ave. to Niles Ave., turning north on Niles Ave., and finishing at Washington St. It will last approximately 90 minutes.

The Annual Greening of the East Race will take place directly following the parade, and visitors are encouraged to watch this spectacle from the east bank of the East Race, as the west bank will be closed due to construction. The Greening of the East Race is sponsored by Fiddler’s Hearth, with support from South Bend Venues Parks & Arts, the South Bend Fire Department, and City Services.

The parade will be emceed by “Irish Dave” O’Connor and his wife Christine Karsten. They will be located on the Boomer stage which will be set up at the intersection of Jefferson Blvd. and St. Louis Blvd.

This year’s parade will feature Grand Marshals Carol & Terry Meehan, owners of Fiddler’s Hearth, as well as Dan Platz who recently retired as a DTSB ambassador after nearly 14 years of service to downtown South Bend.

Parade sponsor Teeling Irish Whiskey will be setting up a Parade Patio at Hammer & Quill and the nearby parking lot with their Irish coffee cart, free cocoa for children, and games like a football toss and cornhole.

DTSB will be selling festive St. Paddy’s accessories at their tent located by Boomer near the entrance of the Howard Park Event Center. Other retail and food vendors will also be in located this area. Free goodies will also be passed out before and during the parade.

Free parking will be available in the Zion Church lot, AM General lot, and Everwise Credit Union lot, plus in all three City-managed garages: Main Street Garage; Leighton Garage; and Wayne Street Garage. Free street parking will also be available. A map of these parking options are posted on social media and the DTSB website. No parking is permitted along the parade route described above, or staging areas (Frances St. from Washington St. to Northside Blvd. and Wayne St. from Frances St. to Eddy St.) from 8 am to 1 pm March 22.

In preparation for the parade, Mayor James Mueller will temporarily rename the intersection of Jefferson Blvd. and Niles Ave. at 11 am on Friday, March 14 to “St. Patrick’s Day Blvd.” in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and the parade. Other City officials and leadership will be in attendance. The media and community is also invited to attend this event.

The St. Patrick’s Parade is presented by Teeling Irish Whiskey and Downtown South Bend, Inc., in partnership with South Bend Venues Parks & Arts, with additional sponsorship provided by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Michiana Celtic Society. Additional support is provided by the South Bend Fire Department, the South Bend Police Department, and South Bend Traffic & Lighting.