Green invasion: St. Patrick’s Day parade steps off today

Downtown Cedar Rapids streets will be filled with green today for the 42nd annual SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick's Day Parade.

It looks like Mother Nature is going to make parade viewing and celebrating St. Patrick's Day enjoyable.

The National Weather Services said there is a slight chance of rain this monring, but the skies gradually will clear and some sunshine will help temperatures reach 55.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the staging area for the parade will be closed. That area includes:

l Fourth Avenue SE from Fifth Street SE to Eighth Street SE.

l Sixth and Seventh streets SE from Third Avenue SE to Fifth Avenue SE.

The parade begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. The parade will close the following streets:

l Sixth Street SE from First Avenue SE to Third Avenue SE.

l Fifth Street SE from First Avenue SE to Fourth Avenue SE.

l Third Street SE from First Avenue SE to Fourth Avenue SE.

l Second Street SE from Second Avenue SE to Fourth Avenue SE.

l Second Avenue SE from Second Street SE to Seventh Street SE.

l Third Avenue SE from First Street SE to Sixth Street SE.