St. Patrick's Day in Montreal: Here's what to know about event, traffic and weather

Montreal is turning green for the weekend as it gears up for the 199th annual St. Patrick's Parade. Here's everything you need to know.

Montreal is turning green for the weekend as it gears up for the 199th annual St. Patrick's Parade. Here's everything you need to know.

Organized by the United Irish Societies of Montreal, montreal's famous parade takes place on Sunday, March 17, beginning at noon along de Maisonneuve Street from Fort Street to Jeanne-Mance.

The three hour-parade will feature a sea of green, with hundreds of floats, dancers, marching bands, Irish wolfhounds and performers, all celebrating the Irish community.

Leading the parade is Grand Marshal Mike Kennedy, and Patty McCann is serving as chief reviewing officer. The parade will feature the St. Patrick's Queen, Chloe Miller, and her court: Julia Rochford, Madison Lalonde, Mia Simard and Shaeleigh Rose Spracklin. The first St. Patrick's Day parade in Montreal took place in 1824, making it the oldest of its kind in Canada.

Those living west of the city might instead try their luck at the St Patrick's Parade Irish Festival Parade in Hudson. Organized by the Soulanges Irish Society, it takes place Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Hudson Main Street. Brian Greenway of April Wine will serve as Grand Marshal, and Irishwoman of the Year is Kim Sullivan, weather specialist at Global News.

St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in the Lanaudiere town of Rawdon, north of Montreal, for the past 45 years. This year is no exception, with three days of festivities, culminating in the parade. It starts at 2 p.m. on Queen Street, ending at Church St.

Here's a full list of activities for the weekend festival.