The 42nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicked off on South Main Street downtown Saturday, sponsored by the Mark Heffernan/Margaret Judge Divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the City of Akron.

The parade featured high school and grade school bands, nonprofits, businesses, animal groups, floats and more. This year’s honorary grand marshal is Mark Owens, the first Irish Honorary Consul in Ohio.

Knights of Columbus Commander Joe Zbasnik fixes John R. Withrow's beret before they march during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Knights of Columbus Commander Joe Zbasnik fixes John R. Withrow’s beret before they march during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Alpacas from Pure Passions Farm in Kent
Alpacas from Pure Passions Farm in Kent delight the crowds during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Akron St. Patrick's Day parade
Rich Hoselton and friends got all decked out in green to enjoy the annual Akron St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown Saturday. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Crowds line South Main Street during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Crowds line South Main Street during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians line up to march in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Leprechauns on bikes roamed the streets
Leprechauns on bikes roamed the streets tossing out candy during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
A leprechaun made out of balloons
A leprechaun made out of balloons is just one of many spotted as part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
An Irish flag waves in the wind during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade
An Irish flag waves in the wind during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians wait for the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
Shelby O'Farell and her daughters, 5-year-old Riley, left, and 3-year-old Mackenzie
Shelby O’Farell and her daughters, 5-year-old Riley, left, and 3-year-old Mackenzie, enjoyed some sunshine at the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
BMX riders do tricks on a quarter pipe on a trailer being towed as part of the St. Patrick's Day parade
BMX riders do tricks on a quarter pipe on a trailer being towed as part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Akron Saturday, March 8. (Michael McElroy / Signal Akron)
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Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.