St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Festivities

The 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for Saturday morning in downtown Ventura, followed by a festival Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The parade, which begins at 10 a.m., will run from Memorial Park on Main Street to Mission Park downtown. Msgr. Patrick O’Brien, pastor of Mission San Buenaventura, will be the grand marshal.

The festival, which will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Mission Park, will begin with a show by local Irish dancers from the Claddagh School. Lessons will be offered at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Parade trophies will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Acts during the weekend include the Mullarkey Brothers, McGettigan & Connor and Foggy Dew, a group of Irish singers and storytellers.

There also will be activities for children, including clowns, magicians and face painting. And, of course, to go along with the green beer, corned beef and cabbage will be served.

Councilman Jim Monahan, one of the founders of the event, said the festival has turned out just as he had hoped it would when committee members organized it more than a decade ago.

Festival organizers are requesting a $1 donation to help cover the costs of the fun and games.