Shamrock-shaped glasses and orange beards. Big green top hats and waving Irish flags. Mini leprechauns and marching bands. A day of celebration and remembrance.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Akron on Saturday, March 14 for the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The event, co-sponsored by The Riverfront Irish Festival and Presper Financial Architects, featured high school and grade school bands, non-profit organizations, businesses, animal groups, floats and more.

Miss Ohio Tiny Princess Anna Lynn McCaskey makes an appearance at the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15, 2026.
Miss Ohio Tiny Princess Anna Lynn McCaskey makes an appearance at the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2026. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Leprechauns decorate floats during Akron's 2026 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Leprechauns decorate floats during Akron’s 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
A drummer with the EN-RICH-MENT Sound of Stark Drumline marches in the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Akron.
A drummer with the EN-RICH-MENT Sound of Stark Drumline marches in the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Akron. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Crew 1944, a World War ll re-enactors organization, walks in the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15, 2026, in downtown Akron.
Crew 1944, a World War ll re-enactors organization, walks in the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2026, in downtown Akron. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
(L-R) Stephanie Seymore, Drew McHenry, Olivia McHenry and Garrett McHenry watch the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Akron.
(L-R) Stephanie Seymore, Drew McHenry, Olivia McHenry and Garrett McHenry watch the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Akron. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Bigfoot took a break from roaming the forest to ride his Harley in the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Akron on March 15, 2026.
Bigfoot took a break from roaming the forest to ride his Harley in the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Akron on March 15, 2026. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Jason Richardson smiles in his Leprechaun costume as he walks in the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Akron representing Lewis Construction Akron.
Jason Richardson smiles in his Leprechaun costume as he walks in the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Akron representing Lewis Construction Akron. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Signal background
Mark Malloy (center), along with son Dylan, 7, and Mason, 10, spent a sunny Saturday afternoon watching the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Akron on March 15, 2026.
Mark Malloy (center), along with son Dylan, 7, and Mason, 10, spent a sunny Saturday afternoon watching the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Akron on March 15, 2026. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Irish flags flew all along the route of the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Main Street in downtown Akron on March 15, 2026.
Irish flags flew all along the route of the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Main Street in downtown Akron on March 15, 2026. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)

Managing Editor (he/him)
Gary is returning to Akron after previously working at the Akron Beacon Journal as a sports reporter from 2003 to 2006. He is committed to delivering authoritative, trustworthy journalism that is accessible to everyone. Gary mostly recently worked as a newsroom leader in Clarksville (Tenn.), Murfreesboro (Tenn.) and Nashville, where he was the business, race and culture editor at The Tennessean. He is a native of New Orleans and a product of Southern University and A&M College. In his free time, you can find him cycling, playing paintball and smoking meats.