Wilson Announced as Grand Marshal of March 25 Hal's St. Paddy's Parade

Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival returns on March 25, 2023, to downtown Jackson, the 40th year dubbed “40 Years of All That Jazz.” The parade’s Grand Marshal is the two-time Grammy award-winning jazz musician, singer, and Jacksonian, Cassandra Wilson.

As in years past, the parade and festival will raise money for Children’s of Mississippi.

"Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival is more than just a celebration, it's a 40-year tradition that brings the community together and honors our rich heritage in Jackson,” Malcolm White, Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival Founder, said. “As always, we can't wait to share this special event with everyone."

Details about this year’s event were highlighted at the press conference, and speakers included Malcolm White, Cassandra Wilson, The Sweet Potato Queens’ “Boss Queen” and founder Jill Conner Browne, representatives from UMMC, and other members of the Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival administrative team.

Along with parade festivities, the annual St. Paddy’s 5k is returning with a new name for 2023. The “Run the Rainbow” event will take place on Saturday, March 18, 2023 - exactly one week before the parade and fest day - to support Children’s of Mississippi.

Run the Rainbow will feature a new 5K route beginning and ending at Hal & Mal’s in downtown Jackson, and will also offer 10K and half marathon routes through downtown Jackson, Belhaven, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus.

“This month, we’ll also be announcing a new fundraising opportunity for businesses and individual donors to support the parade,” Malcolm said. “The Buy-a-Barricade program will help address our event’s largest expense and help keep our guests and participants safe throughout the festivities.”

More information on the Buy-a-Barricade program through the Hal's St. Paddy's Day Parade Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi is coming in the upcoming weeks.

“Thank you to our friends at Capital City Beverages and Cokes Light for their unwavering support of the Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival,” White said. “Thank you also to Downtown Jackson Partners, Community Foundation for Mississippi, Visit Jackson, Cathead Distillery, and many other sponsors who make this event possible. Thank you also to the Crooks Foundation for their generous support of this year’s event.”

Want to make the parade a success? Donations are welcomed to the Hal's St. Paddy's Day Parade Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Donations are tax deductible