Parading Season Begins Today

The St. Patrick's Day parade of parades in Kansas City begins today on what looks out my window to be a perfect Saturday Spring morning.

Beginning with the North Kansas City Snake Saturday Parade and BBQ, where we'll assume it's not the snakes that they're barbecuing. Tastes like chicken, I hear. The parade begins at 14th and Swift, North to Armour, East to Howell, and finishes at the festival area at 18th and Howell. 11 a.m. today. www.northlandfestivals.com

The Brookside St. Patrick's Day Warmup parade takes place right up the hill from where I sit now. I can almost hear the lilt of Irish laughter. I think I'll go. I love a good lilt. The parade route starts at 65th and Wornall, North to 63rd, East to Main. 2 p.m. today. (816-795-6616)

Tomorrow, after you've rested and gone to Mass, head South for the Martin City St. Pat's Day Parade. The parade route begins at 135th and Wyandotte and proceeds East on 135th to Cherry; review stage at 135th and Oak. Bagpiper and downtown parade Grand Marshal Jody Watson and vocalist Ginger Wilson provide entertainment prior to parade start. 2 p.m. March 12. (816-795-6616)

On the Day itself, the Leavenworth St. Patrick's Day Parade will green up the streets of the downtown Leavenworth area. Noon, March 17. (913-682-9800)

And finally, the big potato, the 33rd Annual Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, proudly sponsored by the Kansas City Irish Fest. There, among other things, you'll see not one but two giant Irish Fest cows meandering down Grand Avenue. I'll be marching behind them with a shovel and a bucket picking up the giant cow pies. The marching begins at Pershing and Main by Union Station, proceeds east on Pershing, north on Grand. The one-mile parade route finishes at 15th Street. The judging/VIP stand will be at the Northeast corner of Washington Park on West side of Grand. New this year, the parade will feature those enormous balloons you've seen in some other parades. There is no truth to the rumor that one of them is a 40 foot inflated Mike Murphy. This year's theme: An Irish Tribute to Walt Disney. Our best wishes to Mary, Bob and all the hard working volunteers that put on this annual spectacular. 11 a.m. March 17. www.kcirishparade.com (816-931-7373)