A threat of afternoon showers and thunderstorms has prompted organizers of the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade to move up the start time to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The parade rolls on Magazine Street from Jefferson Avenue to Jackson Avenue.
The scheduled Mass at St. Mary's Assumption Church, 2030 Constance St. has been moved up, to 11:30 a.m.
The Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club which sponsors the parade says 1,400 persons are expected to march on Saturday.
The group notes on its' website, "The organization credits its survival to their deep, strong roots. While the top root is Irish Heritage, many of it’s members feel an even stronger bond, just being from or associated with, the Irish Channel."