When the 49th Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade occurs this week, it should bring “out people who might not usually come to Beale Street,” said Beale Street Merchants Association president Jon Shivers. 

It might also bring out people who haven’t been to a parade in a while.

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It was two years ago that the 47th St. Patrick’s parade was canceled during the first wave of COVID-19 shutdowns. Last year, the Downtown parade did happen, but it was a quieter affair, held in May when local COVID case numbers were low, and it involved masking and other precautions. 

This year, Shivers said, the fanfare will return. Parade organizers plan on 45 community groups, organizations, churches and schools represented in the parade and around 1,200 participants in total. 

Historically, the parade is hosted by the Irish Eyes of Memphis, an organization started by Memphian Mark Flanagan. It also included the late Thomas Boggs and the late Thomas ‘Silky’ Sullivan, founder of Silky O’Sullivan’s bar on Beale Street, whom the event is named after. 

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This year, the parade will highlight its roots, with Flanagan’s daughter, Peggy McNamara Flanagan, serving as queen of the parade court. Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism, will serve as king. 

Another familiar face on the parade court will be Jay Wells, this year’s Grand Marshal. Wells worked in the Memphis restaurant industry for more than 40 years, the past 20 of them as the senior manager at Silky’s before he retired last year. 

As the bar’s manager, he was rarely able to join the St. Patrick’s parade himself, but since he’s now retired, things are different this year. His role as Grand Marshal will place him at the front and center of the parade and allow him to interact with guests like he did from inside the restaurant.

Wells said that meeting people — both locals and visitors alike — who know and love Silky’s has been one of the highlights of his career. 

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As for the parade, Shivers suggested people come early and “come expecting a great time.” He said it will be a family-friendly event, with beads, toothbrushes, candy and more distributed to the crowd. 

All attendees are encouraged to wear green attire, and though masks mandates have been lifted, parade-goers are encouraged to take any reasonable personal safety measures they deem appropriate.

The 47th Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade will be held Saturday, March 12, beginning at 3 p.m. 

Beale Street’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend events schedule: 

Thursday, March 10
5 p.m.: Irish Eyes of Memphis pre-arrival cocktail party at Silky O’Sullivan’s Restaurant, 183 Beale St.
6:30 p.m.: Motor caravan leaves for Memphis International Airport for Irish dignitaries welcoming ceremony
9 p.m.: Motor Caravan departs Murphy’s for Silky O’Sullivan’s for sing-a-long, press conference, and official opening of the Memphis International Festival and Southern States Tour.

Saturday, March 12
2 p.m.: Line up for the official Beale Street St. Patrick’s Parade
3 p.m.: 47th Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins
5 p.m. The Raising of the Goat at Silky O’Sullivan’s, Beale Street

Thursday, March 17
5 p.m.: The Raising of the Goat at Silky O’Sullivan’s
5:30 p.m.: Blessing of the Kegs at Handy Park
6 p.m.-until: Beale Street Pub Crawl