KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Saint Patrick’s Day was on Friday, March 17 and Knoxville went green for the Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

The 2023 Knox St. Patrick’s Parade brought fun and festivities to downtown Knoxville on Friday. The parade started at 7 p.m. at the corner of Hall of Fame Boulevard and Howard Baker. It traveled west and turned right onto Gay Street, continuing past the Bijou Theatre, the Tennessee Theatre, and the Regal Riviera toward Summit Hill. It ended near the corner of Gay Street and West Magnolia Avenue.

The cold did not keep people away as crowds lined Gay Street for the parade. Excitement for the pared that had been canceled in 2020, 2021 and 2022 for COVID-19 and the weather was evident.

The grand marshal was Knoxville’s own celebrity comedian Leanne Morgan. She was set to be the grand marshal in 2020 before the parade was canceled due to COVID-19. Parade organizers say they were excited that Morgan is back and they were ready to celebrate with her.

The parade was also not the only St. Patrick’s Day celebration happening in Knoxville. The Knox Shamrock Fest is planned for Sunday, March 19 from 1-5 p.m.