thANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 40th Anniversary Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade such a memorable celebration!
We are incredibly grateful to the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for their unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to keeping our community safe. Your efforts make it possible for this beloved tradition to thrive year after year.
To our generous sponsors—thank you for believing in this event and helping bring it to life. To our amazing volunteers—we truly could not do this without you. Your time, energy, and passion are the backbone of the parade.
And to all the organizations, businesses, community leaders, and participants who filled the streets with festive floats, smiling faces, joyful children, music to dance and celebrate to, and quite a few happy animals—you brought the true spirit of St. Patrick’s Day to our island.
You are the reason we, your parade committee, love what we do. It is an honor to help bring our community together each year for this one-of-a-kind celebration.
With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,
The Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
The Breeze Trolley offers 1 way trips from 11am-2pm on parade day, picking up at USCB Hilton Head and dropping off near Lowcountry Celebration Park. No other stops will be made. Make your parade day a Breeze!
Save the date: 41st Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 15th, 2027, 2pm
The Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day was named Best Festival in South Carolina in 2025! We’ve been nominated again this year and we’d love it if you would please take a moment to vote.
Enjoy and download the official song for the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
By Danny & His Donegans
BE IN THE PARADE!
BUSINESSES • NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Gather your group and join the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick's Day parade! Floats, boats, trucks, cars, bikes, golf carts - people, horses, dogs - all are welcome! If you need a large float, please consider our local suppliers. All entries compete for five different awards.
SPONSOR THE PARADE!
YES. WE NEED YOU.
Opportunities to support the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick's Day Parade are available at every level. We need your help to continue this great family-friendly event with free attendance for everyone.
BE A PARADE VOLUNTEER!
WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE.
From helping line-up the entries in the parade, to keeping kids safe, to carrying banners for the parade, pipe and drum bands and award winning entries - there's a spot for you and your St. Patrick's Day enthusiasm!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
It's Saint Patrick's day and everyone is Irish today and Irish music fills the air and little children are smiling everywhere and Saint Patrick's day has arrived and it's a time for joy a time for cheer.
The shamrock green a lucky sign a symbol blessed a gift divine and Saint Patrick we love you it's true and Saint Patrick brave and strong and his story and legacy lives on.
He came to Ireland a long ago to teach us love and help it grow and parades march down every street from South Carolina to Galway Bay and children's happy faces dancing all around and the pipers play a lively reel and joyful sounds the people feel and green ribbons tied in every child’s hair
Green clothes to show that we all care, green hats and scarfs a festive sight. An Irish celebration pure and bright, so let everyone around the world celebrate Saint Patrick's day and may his luck touch your hearts on this very special day and Saint Patrick's day a blessed time a melody in every rhyme a day of hope a day of grace.
For Saint Patrick's day is here to banish gloom and spread good cheer so God bless you all around the world and may everyone have a beautiful and blessed Happy Saint Patrick's day.
Poem by David P Carroll
Founded in 1983 by local business icon Tom Reilley and a few friends and family, the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade has grown to become one of Hilton Head Island’s most beloved and popular annual events, and is South Carolina’s oldest parade! Upwards of 25,000 spectators (in a town of approximately 40,000 permanent residents) line Pope Avenue each spring to enjoy floats and marching groups representing local businesses and charities, high school and university marching bands, the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Parris Island, pipe and drum bands, a procession of local dignitaries, and many entertaining entries.
Over the years the Parade has also featured the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales, military jet flyovers, the Planter's Peanut Nutmobile with Mr. Peanut, the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, and Nashville recording star Michelle Murray among other special attractions. Our parade was recognized in 2002 as one of the Top 20 Tourism Events in the Southeast. This is a wonderful honor and our community is very proud! In 2013 the Parade received a commendation from Hilton Head Island’s Town Council in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Now, after many years - we remain the Islanders' welcome to spring and favorite event.
Check out the great bands heading to Hilton Head Island this year for the parade!
FLOAT AWARDS
Grand Marshal Award
Awarded to the Best Small Business float
Shamrock Award
Awarded to the Best Non-Profit float
Judges Award
Awarded to the Best Commercial float
Leprechaun Award
Awarded to the Best Youth float
Irish Heritage Award
Awarded to the Best Irish Heritage float
“GRAND MARSHALS
2025 - Diane Reilley
2024 - Monty Jett*
2023 - Stan Smith
2020 - Gloria and Allan LaCoe (2022 parade)
2019 - David Lauderdale
2018 - Dr. Emory Shaw Campbell
2017 - Stephen G. Riley
2016 - Betsy Doughtie
2015 - Jane and Tom Upshaw
2014 - Dr. Neil Love*
2013 - Brian Carmines
2012 - Tom Peeples*
2011 - Heritage Foundation
2010 - Charles Perry*
2009 - Dr. Jack McConnell*
2008 - John F. Curry*
2007 - Joseph B. Fraser, Jr.*
2006 - The Honorable Sol Blatt, Jr.*
2005 - Cartha “Deke” DeLoach*
2004 - Peggy Warnke*
2003 - Frank Simon
2002 - Reverend Isaac Wilborn*
2001 - Jim Carlin*
2000 - Charles E. Fraser*
1999 - Paula Harper Bethea
1998 - Randy McGarvey*
1997 - Dr. Paul and Gerry Doerring*
1996 - Tony Poythress
1995 - Henry Driessen
1994 - Charlotte Heinrichs*
1993 - Thomas D. (Tom) Reilley, Jr.*
1992 - Joe Capin
1991 - Gene Martin*
1990 - Samuel J. Hunter*
1989 - Governor Carroll Campbell*
1988 - Thomas D. “Pop” Reilley, Sr.*
*Deceased”
“THANK YOU FRIENDS OF THE PARADE:
Don Klepper-Smith
Frosty Frog
Ira J. Braunschweig
Locals Only Taproom
Palmetto Coop
Pops’ Popsicle’s & Candy”