The North Strand Optimist Club (NSOC) is the organization that coordinates the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The North Strand Optimist Club is very involved in our community and “brings out the best in kids”. Consisting of adult volunteers that conduct positive service projects in our community, the NSOC aims to provide a helping hand to our youth.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest parade on the Grand Strand with over 100 parade entries and a history that is unwavering. The masses line Main Street each year to get a glimpse of a magical parade that can only be experienced and not described. The parade begins promptly at 9:00 am, but parade goers rise earlier to patron Main Street establishments in search for warm delights to keep their appetites at bay during the parade.
By 8:30 am most individuals have manned their posts and are eagerly directing family and friends to their “watching station”. Beach chairs, blankets, and golf carts line Main Street awaiting the beginning of a two-hour phenomenon.
Grand Marshal: Each year someone that has shown great leadership and has given back to our community is nominated as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. In 2010, the NSOC decided that the winner of the “Friend of the Year” award would be named the grand marshal. The “Friend of the Year” award is given annually to a child between the ages of 1 and 19 years old. Nominees are chosen based on outstanding abilities such as leadership in the north strand area, involvement in church, community, or school, someone battling sickness, helping others in need, or overcoming unfortunate circumstances.
Parade Route: The parade lines up in the Lowe’s parking lot off of 2nd Avenue North. The parade will begin at the BiLo shopping Center on Main Street and head towards the ocean. Once the parade intersects Hillside Drive it will turn right onto Hillside Drive, and then make an immediate left onto 1st Avenue South. Then the parade will turn left onto Ocean Blvd. and go past Main Street where the judging stage is set up. The parade route ends at 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Blvd.
Parade Parking: Since the parade is one (1) mile long there are several places to park and watch the festivities.
-Kroger Shopping Center (please do not park near the store entrance, they are open for business this day)
-BiLo Shopping Center (please do not park near the store entrance, they are open for business this day)
-McLean Park
-Corner of 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Blvd. in the dirt lot (walk to Main Street to see the parade)
-Corner of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Blvd. in the dirt parking lot (beside the O.D. Arcade) HANDICAP PARKING AVAILABLE HERE!
