SDOT has shared one of their trademark weekend-traffic heads-up notes most commonly seen in the summertime – because there’s a lot happening that might affect how you get around and through the heart of the city in the next three days. That includes Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade downtown (with two local schools’ marching bands, as previously mentioned) and more – Read on for details:

Seattle will be awash with green over the coming St. Patrick’s Day weekend and motorists should anticipate traffic congestion and closures associated with some of the events. The festivities get into full swing on Friday at 7 p.m. when 140 participants will take part in the 2013 Laying of the Green Stripe, marking the St Patrick’s Day Parade route down Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle. On Saturday, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through downtown will close Fourth Avenue from 12:30 to 3 p.m. At 5 p.m. on Saturday, an expected 38,000 green-scarf-waving fans will be flocking to CenturyLink Field to cheer on the Sounders in their match against the Portland Timbers. On Sunday morning, some 15,000 runners of all ages, and decked out in all shades of green, will make the St. Patrick’s Day Dash north from the Seattle Center and back again from the south end of the Aurora Bridge. From 7:30 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. SR 99- the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Aurora Avenue N between the Western Avenue off – ramp and N 39th Street (north of the Aurora Bridge) will be closed for the Dash.

These are but a few of the weekend activities which could impact traffic; please see the entire schedule below for more details.

Friday, March 15

International Day Against Police Brutality: march at 4:00 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Starts with a rally at City Hall Park at 3 p.m.
300 expected
Route: At 4 p.m. marchers move north in the street to Seattle Police Department Headquarters at Fifth Avenue and Cherry Street, followed by a short rally; at 5 p.m. march moves west to Westlake Park, followed by a short rally; at 6 p.m. marchers head to Seattle Center, followed by a short rally; Seattle Police will escort.

Laying of the Green Stripe: 7 – 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street starting point
140 participants
Route: Participants move north on Fourth Avenue from Jefferson to Pike Street marking the route of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with biodegradable green paint. (Participants gather at FX Mc Rory’s at 6:30 p.m. to ride the flat-bed truck up to City Hall Park on Fourth Avenue at Jefferson Street.)

“Lucky 2013” Electronic Music Festival: 7:30 p.m. – 3:30 a.m.
WaMu Theater, CenturyLink Event Center
12,000 attending
Expect possible traffic congestion adjacent to the center.

Saturday, March 16

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 12:30 p.m.
4,700 attending
Staging area closed from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Fourth Avenue between S Washington and James streets, and Dilling Way between Fourth Avenue and Yesler Way.
Parade route: starts at Fourth Avenue and James Street; moves north on Fourth to Pine Street and Westlake Park.
Route Closure: Drivers should plan on congestion through downtown Seattle as Fourth Avenue will be closed from 12:30 pm. until approximately 3 p.m. with no cross street traffic allowed along the parade route.

Kell’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival: 10 a.m. – 6 a.m. on Monday
Beer garden located in Post Alley adjacent to Kell’s
320 attending
Closure note: Post Alley will be barricaded at Stewart and at Virginia streets; expect congestion in the area.

Fuel Outdoor Beer Garden: 12 Noon – 7 p.m.
164 S Washington Street
420 expected
Event will be set up in the alley and parking area to the west; expect congestion on surrounding streets

Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers: 5 – 6:30 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
38,000 attending
Plan on heavier traffic than usual before and after the match.

Rat City Rollergirls: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
5,000 attending
Traffic may be heavier on streets adjacent to the west side of center.

Sunday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day Dash: Race starts in waves at: 8:30, 8:40, 8:50, and 9 a.m.
Runners gather on Mercer Street between First Avenue N and Fourth Avenue N (staging area)
15,000 participants

Race Route: starts at Third Avenue N and Mercer Street heading east on Mercer to Dexter Avenue N; then south on Dexter to Republican Street; west on Republican Street to Aurora Avenue N; north on Aurora to the south side of the Aurora Bridge; makes a u-turn and goes south on Aurora to the Broad Street off-ramp; west on Broad Street off-ramp to Harrison Street; and finally west on Harrison to finish line on Fifth Avenue N;

Leprechaun Kid’s Run: 8 a.m.

Race route: Starts at Third Avenue N and Mercer Street heading east on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; then south on Fifth to Harrison Street; west on Harrison to finish on the Seattle Center grounds.
CLOSURES NOTE: Staging area is closed beginning at 7 a.m.
Streets and SR 99 closed from 7:30 to approximately 11 a.m.: Alaskan Way Viaduct and Aurora Avenue N between Western Avenue off-ramp and N 39th Street north of the Aurora Bridge.

Fado St. Patrick’s Day Festival: 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Monday)

First Avenue and Columbia Street – beer garden on sidewalk adjacent to Fado’s Irish Pub
750 attending
Expect congestion in the general area.

That’s right by the main downtown Viaduct onramp, as you probably know. West Seattle events are on tap this weekend too – check the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.