2022 Sioux Falls St. Patrick's Day parade to return after 2-year hiatus due to COVID-19

The annual St. Patrick's Day parade is returning after being cancelled the last two years because of COVID-19 concerns.

The parade is scheduled for March 19 and registration for parade participants and floats is now open online.

“We have every intention of having a parade this year," said Shawn Cleary, chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza Committee, in a news release. "After two years off, we can’t wait to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with all the Irish and Irish-at-heart again.”

This is the 42nd year of the parade and will honor James Michael Doyle, the 1999 grand marshal and supporter of the parade and Sioux Falls Irish community. Doyle, the former chair of the Religious Studies department at the University of South Dakota and the founder of St. Michael’s Parish, died in May 2021 at 89 years old.

More:Remembering James Doyle: 'He just had an eye on the community'

The committee has begun the process to select a parade grand marshal for this year. Registration is now open as well.

The painting of the shamrock will begin at 11 a.m. on March 19 in front of Mrs. Murphy's Irish Gifts. The parade will close Phillips Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets starting at 10:45 a.m. on March. 19.