It’s time once again for the St Patrick’s Warm Up Parade in Brookside–2019 marks the 39th year!  The parade itself starts at 2pm; the route will be closed prior to start time. 

This parade is a family friendly event–many parade watchers set up chairs along the streets and kids sit on the curb, waiting for tossed candy from the participants.  Some of my favorite displays are the zippy little cars, Irish dancers and bagpipe players.  Expect to see several politicians waving to the crowds as well–especially with the upcoming KCMO mayoral election. The route starts at 65th and Wornall; continues north on Wornall to 63rd St; then east on 63rd to Main St; south on Main to Meyer and then west on Meyer to Brookside Road.

Streets will be very crowded with parked cars, kids, pedestrians, etc!  Please plan on walking to Brookside to watch or if you must drive, park several blocks away.

Wondering how the Brookside parade got started?  According to The Brookside Story by LaDeen Morton, the idea was for Brookside to piggy back on to the growing popularity of the much larger city parade in downtown KCMO.  By adding “Warm Up” to the official parade name, the Brookside event would be seen as a kick-off to the city celebration of St Patrick’s Day.  The first Warm Up parade started in the parking lot by the tennis courts and then traveled along Meyer, Brookside Plaza and 63rd St, lasting less than thirty minutes.  This week’s parade should be almost two hours!

Remember to stop in for a beverage, lunch or ice cream treat while in Brookside for the event.  Thank you for your support of our locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!