Spectators lined up along the streets of Old Sacramento on Saturday for the 18th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade,as they waited for the festivities to begin.

Old Sacramento is home to many different parades and celebrations that bring the community together for fun and entertainment.

Participants arrived as early as 10 a.m to set up the event and spectators showed up early to reserve a good view for the entertainment.

The celebration was a family-centered event and appropriate for residents of all ages. Many were dressed up in festive costumes to celebrate the spirit of the holiday.

Christopher McSwain, executive director of Old Sacramento Business Association, anticipated a large turnout for the parade.

“This is actually our biggest parade ever with 85 different entries in the parade,” McSwain said. “We’ve got everything from dancers, bicycles, unicycles, convertibles, police horses, fire horses, jeeps, girl scouts, mermaids, and all the way to bagpipes.”

Many spectators were also there to support friends and family.

Attendee Kayla Roumage went to the parade to watch her fiancé’s brother, who was performing with his school.

“They have a float and they’re singing and dancing through the parade,” Roumage said.”This is our first time at a parade like this.”

The parade, promoted by Entercom Radio, was not only a good way to promote businesses in Old Sacramento but also helped the radio stations get their listeners involved, as they interacted with spectators at the event.

Promotions Technician at Entercom Radio and Sac State student Connor Burke, have worked the parade for the past three years and enjoy socializing at the events.

“It’s a win-win for the radio stations and for the parade itself,” Burke said.

The event had many sponsors outside of just the radio stations and also had support from the businesses in Old Sacramento. These included businesses like Delta King, Embassy Suites, Evangelines, and the Hornblower.

All of the businesses benefit from an event like this, as it brings large crowds to bars and restaurants in Old Sacramento after the parade is over.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become an anticipated tradition throughout the years and will continue to be a fun source of entertainment for years to come.

With  bars and restaurants eager to keep the St. Patrick’s Day celebration going throughout the night, college students and adults will continue to have a fun weekend as they commemorate the Irish holiday.