52nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration in Crosslake

Description

For 52 years, Crosslake has been celebrating the coming of Spring with a St Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration!

What started out in the 70’s as a remedy for Cabin Fever, has grown into a destination event for thousands of green-clad, Irish-for-a-day, weekend enthusiasts. Some build a float and travel the 1.5 mile long route handing out hundreds of pounds of candy and trinkets, and others set up lawn chairs, days in advance to get ”their perfect spot” for family and friends.

The 1.5 mile parade kicks off at 1 PM in Crosslake Town Square and ends just before the bridge over Cross & Daggett Lakes.

Get apparel, trinkets, costumes and more at Crosslake merchants city-wide and embrace the Paint the Town Green parade theme!  

Join in the fun on Saturday, March 14, 2026 and see for yourself why the Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration has been declared the Best of the Brainerd Lakes AND the Best in the State! 

Follow the Crosslake Chamber on Facebook & Instagram for Event Updates!

BUSINESS PARTICIPATION 

Get involved and boost your visibility during the celebration!

Become a Sponsor: Support the event and receive valuable marketing exposure.
Host an Event: Bring people to your location with a fun activity — we’ll promote it for you.
Offer Deals & Discounts: Provide a special offer or sell raffle tickets. We’ll feature your deal online and in the Crosslake App.
Donate a Prize: Contribute an item for the Lost Pot O’ Gold and/or raffle and get your business listed.

PARADE SIGN-UP

Show off your business in one of Crosslake’s most beloved traditions! Enter a float, vehicle, or walking unit and get in front of thousands of excited parade-goers. It’s a fun, high-visibility way to promote your business and be part of the celebration.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

ALL EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE - WATCH FOR THE COMPLETE 2026 SCHEDULE COMING SOON!

THURSDAY

• 9AM // St Paddy's Pot O' Gold - first clue released 
• 6 - 8PM // Loon & Lakes Trivia - (14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co. 36846 CR 66)
• 8PM // Trivia (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)

FRIDAY

• 9AM // St Paddy's Pot O' Gold - second clue released
• 5 - 7PM // 12th Clover Dash 5K / Ruck / Kids Run packet pickup (Shoppe 218 35746 Allen Ave)
• 6PM //  Meat Raffle (Crosslake Legion 35112 CR 3)
• 10PM - 2AM // DJ Music at the Bay (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)

SATURDAY

• 8:30 - 10:30AM // 12th Clover Dash 5K / Ruck / Kids Run (Crosslake Town Square 35746 Allen Ave)
• 9 AM // St Paddy's Pot O' Gold - third and final clue released
• 9AM-3:30PM //Whitefish Lodge Bingo and Parking Lot Party (Whitefish Lodge & Suites 14150 Swann Drive)
  • Bingo - 9 a.m. Doors open with food garden and full bar indoors 
    • 10 a.m. - Bingo starts - Must register at www.whitefishlodge.com
  • Parking Lot Party - 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tent open with food garden and full bar 
    •  11:30 - 1 p.m. and 2 - 3:30p.m. Live music featuring Shane Martin
• 10AM - 1PM // Parade Pre Party(Crosslake Town Square 35770 Allen Ave)
• 10:30AM - 1PM // Parade Participant Shuttle Service - Complimentary for parade participants only. Park & ride the free shuttle from The Log Church (37218 CR 66) to Crosslake Community School. (One way only before the parade - no shuttle after the parade)
• 1PM // 52nd ANNUAL ST PATRICK'S DAY PARADE 

AFTER THE PARADE - Celebrations throughout Crosslake

START YOUR PARADE DAY AT THE CLOVER DASH 5K 

The 12th Annual Clover Dash is a great way to start your day!  It's a certified 5K course through a quiet residential neighborhood. All ages, including strollers and the family rovers (on a leash of course) are welcome! For the little runners, there's a kids run around the Crosslake Town Square Legacy Garden!  

GET LUCKY AND FIND THE POT O GOLD

Every Crosslake St Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration attendee has a story, and finding this Pot O' Gold will give you a tale to tell for years to come! Get your family and friends together, or go it alone. A prize package compliments of Crosslake Chamber member businesses awaits!  Three days, three clues March 12-14.

How to participate as an attendee: Download the Crosslake app and get access to the clues at 9 AM each day (March 13-15) to help you be the first to find Pot O' Gold full of prizes donated by our wonderful local business valued at thousands!

WIN BIG IN THE RAFFLE, AND GET DEALS DURING THE CELEBRATION

Purchase a Raffle ticket and you could win an awesome prize!  With each raffle ticket purchased, you get a FREE promotional item that will get you exclusive deals and discounts at Crosslake merchants on March 13-14! 

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY at the RAFFLE TICKET DRAWING PARTY 

 Tues. March 17, 2026

• 5-7:30  // St. Patrick's Raffle Ticket Drawing Party (Maucieri's Italian Bistro 34650 CR 3)
  • 5:30 PM - Parade Trophies Awarded 
  • 6 PM. - Ticket Drawing begins
  • Enjoy food and beverage specials as we pull all the winning raffle tickets!  
  • Need not be present to win!
  • More than $10,000 in Raffle Prizes donated by local businesses! 

2025 BEST IN PARADE WINNERS: 

BEST FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS

1) Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar

2) River Oaks Dental

3) Boyd Lodge 

BEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

1) Crosslake Community School

2) The Log Church

3) 2025 Winter Carnival Royal Family

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC

Revolution and Rangerette Dance Teams