Smithfield St. Patrick’s Day parade returns
Published 5:12 pm Friday, February 17, 2023
- St. Patrick himself, or at least a local version, makes an appearance at a past Smithfield St. Patrick's Day parade. (Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Tourism)
Smithfield’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return to Main Street on March 11.
The parade will begin at 10:30 and follow the same route as the Christmas Parade, heading east down Main Street, left onto Mason Street and left again onto Grace Street, and ending around 11:30 a.m. at the Blackwater Regional Library on James Street. The route will be closed to vehicles from 10 a.m. through the conclusion of the parade.
There is no rain date, though only a “significant act of nature” will cancel the event, a flyer by Smithfield’s and Isle of Wight County’s joint tourism department states.
Tourism is still accepting signups to be in the parade. The entry fee is $50 for car or motorcycle clubs and $25 for all other entries. Up to 10 vehicles per club are allowed.
Entrants are to make checks payable to IOW County and mail or deliver them to IOW Tourism, c/o Connie Chapman, 319 Main St., Smithfield, VA 23430. Parade space is limited and is filled on a first-come basis.
Entrants are allowed to hand out candy to spectators, but are prohibited from throwing candy or other items.
