As snowbanks stand sentinel and back yards are buried, the color green is looking better than ever as St. Patrick’s Day festivities bloom in St. Paul.

The 53rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at noon Saturday in Lowertown near Mears Park and travels down Fifth Street, ending around Rice Park. Last year, an estimated 50,000 people watched the parade of more than 70 clans. Lots of those clans have been in the parade for decades, according to a news release from the St. Patrick’s Association, which has been sponsoring and coordinating the parade in St. Paul since 1967.

The parade usually takes place on St. Patrick’s Day, unless March 17 falls on a Sunday, as it does this year. And it’s too late to join the mobile party. Application deadline to march in this year’s parade has passed.

For more information and a map of the parade route, go to stpatsmn.org/parade.

Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul will be festive Saturday and Sunday, with the St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration and A Day of Irish Dance held back-to-back.

Saturday’s Irish Celebration is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features music, dancing, food, storytelling and entertainment for children. Related Articles Who was St. Patrick? Fun facts to make you look smart about St. Patrick’s Day

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Sunday’s Day of Irish Dance is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with dance, of course, including three new dance schools joining the entertainment to total more than 700 dancers on two stages. There are theater performances and a children’s stage. Sensory-friendly programming (a celli dance class, music and a chance to try out traditional Irish instruments) will be offered in a quieter classroom with low light and without amplified sound.

Admission for the Irish Celebration and Day of Dance is $7 each for those 19 and older, $5 for ages 6-18 and 65-plus, and free for ages 5 and younger.

For more information, go to landmarkcenter.org/irish-celebrations.