After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Mansfield’s popular Pickle Parade & Palooza will return on March 18-19. The 11th celebration of the world’s only St. Paddy’s pickle parade is part of a host of free family friendly fare that will place Mansfield front and center for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Texas.
Set for March 19, the parade is a holiday ritual like no other. Bands, floats, community leaders, and folks intent on sharing St. Paddy’s Day revelry will march, roll, race and amble through the streets of Historic Downtown Mansfield, as thousands of residents and visitors to the city cheer them on.
But that’s just the main event.
In addition, the festival will feature a pet parade, a baby parade, the Pickle playground, beer keg races, a cornhole tournament, fun runs, food and retail vendors, and an appearance by the legendary Pickle Queens. This year, the event will also have the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, who will pose for pictures and lend vocal support to many of the proceedings.
And then there’s music, lots of music. Texas Country artist Cody Wayne will perform on Friday night, highlighting a musical slate that touches practically every genre and taste.
This unique, Mansfield-riffic party started with a parade in 2012. The stars of the show, the Pickle Queens, ride the final floats in the parade, but they’re first to the party, and first in parade-goers’ hearts. They shine in their bright red wigs, green thrift-store prom gowns and their blingy tiaras. The Queens and their Pickle Posse spend the year planning this event, and they seem to do it better every year – or, in this case, every second year.
Entry to the festivities and parking is free. Shuttles are available.
At press time, schedule specifics were still being formulated, so those interested in attending are encouraged to frequently visit the parade and palooza website, pickleparade.org.
More St. Patrick’s Day revelry
- Gilligan’s Bar & Grill (400 E. Abram St.) will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 17, starting with outdoor activities at 4 p.m. The event will feature live music by Morning People, Don Pendley and Live Chaos. Plus, there’s the trademark J. Gilligan’s St. Patrick’s Day cuisine, including green beer and Irish nachos. Visit the Jameson Bar and enjoy giveaways and entertainment by a bagpipe player. There’s a $5 cover charge.
For more: jgilligans.com
