Top Family-Friendly Activities In South Florida For St. Patrick's Day 2014

Celebrate like the Irish by attending these fun, family-friendly events. There are parades to enchant your child and an event that is doggone entertaining. The only requirement is that you show up in your greenest ensemble and be ready to party the day away. It's kid-appropriate fun that the adults won't mind partaking in. So get your green ready for this year's list of St. Patrick's Day family fun.

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival

Downtown Hollywood
Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 921-3404
www.stpatricksparade.com

Date: March 9, 2014 at 12 p.m.

Dress the kiddies from head to toe in lucky green and head down to Hollywood for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. There are 12,000 people expected to be in attendance and the parade route runs down Hollywood Boulevard. The event features a concessions, live music from UV, the U2 tribute band, and Irish merchandise to add to your St. Paddy's Day collection. Your child will marvel at the green themes when local high school bands and Irish dancers put them in the spirit of the holiday and display the true meaning of the pride of the Irish. Bring along a couple of beach chairs and get there early to grab your spot and prepare for hours of entertainment.

Related: Best After-School Activities For Kids In Miami

Walk, Wiggle and Stroll Dog Walk

The Shops At Midtown Miami
3401 N. Miami Ave.
Miami, FL 33127
(786) 362-7515
www.miamilighthouse.org

Date: March 16, 2014 at 9 a.m.

St. Patrick's Day is going to the dogs. Miami Lighthouse is hosting the Walk, Wiggle and Stroll Dog Walk to bring awareness to the blind. Blind walkers and their service dogs will take to the streets for a leisurely stroll and you, your pint-sized pal and your puppy pal are all invited. The event takes place in Midtown Miami and features a costume contest, goody bags and music courtesy of Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program. Registration is $30 and includes a Bagels and Bones breakfast perfect for the whole family including your furry friend. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind St. Patrick's Day event.

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival

Huizenga Park
32 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 828-5985
www.ftlaudirishfest.com

Date: March 8, 2014 at 11 a.m.

Everybody loves a parade and Fort Lauderdale is putting on a St. Patrick's Day Parade for the ages. The festivities begin at Huizenga Park where parents and kiddies can attend the traditional Irish blessing, participate in the Leprechaun Leap Family Run and enjoy Irish-themed concessions. Then the party moves to Las Olas Boulevard for a parade that stretches from S.E. 6th Avenue to the Las Olas Riverfront. See marching bands, floats, drum lines and more. Then, you can head back over to Huizenga Park to enjoy live Irish-themed music and games and the expanded Kids Zone featuring bounce houses until 7 p.m., making this a great event to meet up with family and friends for a full day of fun.

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Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.