There are two Street Fairs per year, one in Spring and one in the Winter. The next Street Fair is March 22, 23, 24, 2013. Hours are 10 am to 6pm each day. The Street Fair takes place between Ninth Street and University Blvd. along Fourth Avenue. Free to the public, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, 2 stages, Community Stage North, Main Stage South, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, the ever so popular Free Tucson’s Children’s Museum’s kids hands-on-art Pavilion. There is face painting, balloons, demonstrations, sidewalk entertainment and tons of other fun activities.

This large street fair is definitely a Tucson tradition, and is very well attended, street to street crowds…twice a year.
And every year there are new booths and new art experiences. Check out the colorful map below:

Yesterday Sunday March 17, Winsett Park (near 316 N. 4th Avenue) was re-dedicated to the Mike Haggerty Plaza aka “The Mike”, as he was the so-called Honorary Mayor of 4th Avenue. Former Tucson Councilman Haggerty passed away last year on March 5, 2012. LD 10 State Rep. Bruce Wheeler spoke at the ceremony, as well as family & friends of the one term former Tucson Councilman. Mike’s widow Mimi Haggerty was in attendance as well. And they served green frosted cup cakes in celebration of Mike and St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival of Tucson

Sunday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day)

Armory Park, 10 AM
Downtown (SE corner of E. 12th Street and S. 6th Avenue, south of Broadway)

A St Patrick’s Day Event

Sunday, March 17, downtown Tucson will come alive with Celtic tradition as the 26th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival brings the Irish spirit to Tucson!​

​​​The St. Patrick’s Day Festival opens at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 17 at Armory Park (Military Plaza) on S. 6th Ave, in Downtown, with live Irish music, dancers, entertainment, a children’s game area, and food and merchandise vendors. Irish organizations, ethnic and cultural tables will be set up in the park as well. Festival Schedule TBA.​

​​The one hour Parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. at Pennington & Stone Avenue, making its way through Downtown – around the Presidio – down Main – through the heart of Tucson. ​

​This years Grand Marshal will be Jim Critchley, Tucson Fire Chief.​

​The 2013 parade will feature marchers including floats, military units, local dignitaries, media and entertainment personalities and civic, cultural and social groups. The Tucson parade has a 26-year history and provides a good time for the entire family!

This year this parade/festival is on March 17, 2013 – St. Patrick’s Day. In the past it has been held on a Sunday in March, but not always on March 17, due to scheduling and calendar dates.

Having been “adopted” by an Irish Catholic family of Connecticut while in law school, I learned to bake Irish soda bread and enjoy “all things Irish” excluding Irish whiskey. My husband and I even honeymooned in Ireland, so I have been going to this festival & parade for years now. And I do believe in leprechauns, and the luck of the Irish.

And if you crave corned beef & cabbage & can’t find it at the festival, walk on over a few blocks to new Playground restaurant, which is having an all you can eat offer starting at 11 a.m. at 278 E. Congress, SW corner of E. Congress St. and N. 5th Avenue. Only $5 with a wristband, what a deal for lots of delicious corned beef & cabbage. They’re open to 2 a.m. on Sundays.

UPDATE: change in parade route to Start at E. 16th St. x Stone, north to Ochoa, then east via Scott Ave. to Armory Park. See comment below for link to new map of parade route.

The 2012 parade will feature marchers including floats, military units, local dignitaries, media and entertainment personalities and civic, cultural and social groups. The Tucson parade has a 25-year history and provides a good time for the entire family.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival opens at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at El Presidio Park Plaza, 160 W. Alameda Street, with live Irish music, dancers, entertainment, a children’s game area, and food and merchandise vendors. Irish organizations, ethnic and cultural tables will be set up in the park as well. Festival Schedule TBA.

The one hour Parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. at Pennington & Stone Avenue, making its way through Downtown – around the Presidio – down Main – through the heart of Tucson.

The 2012 parade and Festival theme, “Honoring our Founders”, will pay tribute to our parade founders, celebrate their vision, and honor their dedication to the Irish and Tucson community.

Portion of Festival Proceeds to benefit the Tucson Police Officers Association.

In memory of the more than one million Irish who died in the Potato Famine 150 years ago, marchers and spectators are asked to remember the hungry of Tucson. The Community Food Bank will accept canned food donations during the Festival.

Grand Marshal was supposed to be Mike Haggerty, one of their parade founders, and former Ward 3 Councilmember. Unfortunately Mike passed away at age 81 on 3/5/12 but he will be there in spirit and memory. The Haggerty family will be riding their decorated golf cart in the parade.

I usually go to this very “green” parade & festival, which is lots of fun, even for those of us who aren’t Irish (but would like to be). Note new location of festival at El Presidio Park on Alameda next to City Hall, west of Church Ave. and not at Armory Park.

www.tucsonstpatricksday.com

Also happening that morning for joggers:

The Third Annual “Running with the Irish” will feature the “Green Isle Mile.” It will begin at the corner of Pennington and Stone at 10:55 a.m.

This is THE competition for bragging rights to the fastest mile in Tucson!

The 1 mile run through beautiful downtown Tucson serves as the kick-off to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Register on www.taggrun.com and don’t forget to wear your green!