Heading to Dublin's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade?

Where is the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Bay Area?

In Dublin, of course!

Every year since 1984, the Dublin Lions have put on the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s parade happens Saturday, March 17 at 9:30 a.m.

The routes have changed, the participants have increased, but one of the biggest annual events in the Tri-Valley remains a constant.

“It’s always been a good-time parade,” said Bill Burnham, Dublin Lions Club president and parade director. “It’s for the kids.”

He said that more than 80 groups have requested entry into this year’s parade, which kicks off at Dublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza Road.

Entries include a number of marching bands, civic organizations, Scout troops and about two dozen organizations from outside Dublin.

“It’s more than last year and in those 80 entries there are about 3,000 participants,” Burnham said.

About 10,000 spectators will line the parade route, according to Burnham, which moves from Dublin Boulevard to (north) Village Parkway to (west) Amador Valley Boulevard and ends in front of the store.

Parade watchers begin staking out their places early in the morning and there will be traffic diversions and detours. Bleacher seating will be installed in front of at the corner of Village Parkway and Amador Valley.

It’s suggested that parade watchers bring low-back chairs and a blanket to escape the morning chill.

Mayor Tim Sbranti, who grew up in Dublin, has called the parade one of the city’s best traditions.

"The St. Patrick's parade is one of Dublin's greatest ways to bring the community together,” he said.

“It is an opportunity to showcase all of the best that Dublin has to offer and I think it's great that so many people of all ages in our city get the opportunity to participate."

So, Danville... if your celebration for St. Pat's Day starts in Dublin, where will it end up? At one of these places from our readers' choice for ?