Snake Saturday Parade

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Carnival & ParadeNorth Kansas City
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesSnake Saturday's name and theme draw
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Snake Saturday Parade in North Kansas City

Snake Saturday is an annual parade and festival held in North Kansas City, Missouri, each year on the Saturday before Saint Patrick's Day. Founded in 1983 by Mickey Finn and Bill Grigsby as a small hotel parking-lot promotion, it has grown into a family-friendly, alcohol-free parade and charity fundraiser that has raised roughly 1.8 million dollars for participating charities.

Snake Saturday began in 1983 as a modest promotional event for the Rodeway Inn in the Kansas City area, the creation of Mickey Finn and broadcaster Bill Grigsby, who staged a small parade of four floats in the hotel's parking lot so guests could watch from their rooms on a cold day.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Snake Saturday's name and theme draw directly on the legend of Saint Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland, giving the event a specific mythological hook rather than a generic Irish celebration

02

The mystery stays covered

Patrick's-adjacent events built around drinking, Snake Saturday is deliberately alcohol-free and pet-friendly, banning anything thrown from floats and holding safety meetings with every entrant, reflecting its founders' intent to keep it welcoming for families

03

The city starts moving

A charity cook-off the day before adds a distinctive culinary tradition, with nonprofit teams competing using a Kansas City strip steak, judged on taste and on how creatively they decorate their take-out box

04

The water draws everyone in

The event has also become a significant local economic driver for area businesses

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The charity cook-off held the day before the parade is a distinctive local tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

with nonprofit teams competing over a Kansas City strip steak judged on taste

The sacred route

Living ritual

presentation

The local code

Living ritual

and creatively decorated take-out boxes tied to the parade's annual theme

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Keeping the event strictly alcohol-free and free of items thrown from floats reflects a founding commitment to family-friendly safety that organizers have maintained since 1983

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The parade's annual theme

Tradition 7

Living ritual

changing each year while honoring founders Mickey Finn and Bill Grigsby's original vision

Tradition 8

Living ritual

has become its own tradition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For Snake Saturday Parade, plan transport around the exact North Kansas City venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered clothing suited to early-to-mid March weather in Missouri is recommended, since temperatures on parade day can range from cold and damp to mild depending on the year. A warm jacket...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Snake Saturday Parade, stay near the part of North Kansas City you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.13 N, 94.56 WOpen in Google Maps

North Kansas City, MO

Nearest airportMCI — Kansas City
TransportFor Snake Saturday Parade, plan transport around the exact North Kansas City venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Snake Saturday Parade, stay near the part of North Kansas City you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to North Kansas City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near North Kansas City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing suited to early-to-mid March weather in Missouri is recommended, since temperatures on parade day can range from cold and damp to mild depending on the year. A warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and weather-appropriate accessories like a hat or gloves are practical choices, and green or shamrock-themed clothing is a popular but optional nod to the event's Irish-inspired theme.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Snake Saturday Parade?

Snake Saturday Parade is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Snake Saturday Parade take place?

The festival is listed in North Kansas City, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

North Kansas City, MO

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsnakesaturday.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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