Baton Rouge's Wearing of the Green Parade Draws Crowds

Annual St. Patrick's Day celebration features over 90 floats, food, and multigenerational gatherings.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:50am

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The Wearing of the Green Parade in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, drew large crowds on Saturday, with organizers reporting more than 90 floats participating in the annual St. Patrick's Day event. The parade attracted visitors from outside the city, including a Houston resident who described it as the place to be for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. For many attendees, the parade is part of a longstanding tradition centered around food, friends, and community, with some describing it as a more manageable alternative to the larger Mardi Gras festivities.

Why it matters

The Wearing of the Green Parade is a longstanding tradition in Baton Rouge that brings the community together to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The event's growing popularity and ability to attract out-of-town visitors highlights the city's vibrant cultural offerings and its appeal as a destination for regional celebrations.

The details

The parade featured more than 90 floats and drew families who lined up early to claim a spot along the route. The event has become an annual tradition for many attendees, who gather with friends and family to enjoy food, music, and the festive atmosphere. Some attendees described the parade as a more manageable alternative to the larger Mardi Gras celebrations, offering a similar sense of community and celebration without the larger crowds.

  • The Wearing of the Green Parade took place on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Jeff Fitch

A resident of Houston who traveled to Baton Rouge to attend the Wearing of the Green Parade.

John Malone

A friend of the parade's host who has taken on a hosting role himself, cooking pastalaya for the gathering.

Violet Kean

An attendee who expressed her happiness to be at the parade.

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What they’re saying

“I'm in Houston, but I heard this is the St. Patty's parade to come to. Baton Rouge is where it's at. I mean, this is the place to be.”

— Jeff Fitch (WAFB)

“We have people that come, we invite our friends, they invite their friends, and they invite their friends. We get to meet a lot of people.”

— John Malone, Parade host (WAFB)

“It's just nice having a big family thing. My dad's obviously not going as well health-wise, so being able to kind of break him out of St. James for the day and have him come over - I know he enjoys it, we enjoy having him around.”

— John Malone, Parade host (WAFB)

“We're all older. None of us want to go down to Mardi Gras anymore… so this is as close as we're gonna get. I'd say this is bigger than any of the even the Mardi Gras stuff that comes through here.”

— John Malone, Parade host (WAFB)

“I'm just happy to be here, and I love it.”

— Violet Kean, Attendee (WAFB)

The takeaway

The Wearing of the Green Parade in Baton Rouge has become a beloved annual tradition that brings the community together to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The event's growing popularity and ability to attract out-of-town visitors highlights Baton Rouge's vibrant cultural offerings and its appeal as a destination for regional celebrations.