Department stores have Christmas. Candy makers have Easter. And bars — well, bars have St. Patrick’s Day.

“For us it’s one of the best days of the year,” said Jerry Neverve, owner of the Red Lyon. “We have people wandering in and out all day long, and they’re just having a jolly time.”

Gene Shaughnessy puts a bell on the Shamrock Express, which just received a new paint job, for today's St. Patrick's Day parade. It will be the 18th year for the holiday tradition, which starts at 1 p.m. near 11th and Massachusetts streets.

Like watering holes around town, the Red Lyon Tavern, 944 Mass. opens early today, at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, though, revelers are expected to hit the streets to take in the 18th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It begins at 1 p.m. near 11th and Massachusetts streets and finishes at North Ninth and Locust streets in North Lawrence.

Parade organizers and committee members spent Wednesday completing the parade’s lineup, which should include 75 to 100 entries, said Gene Shaughnessy, a parade committee member.

Shaughnessy was putting the final touches on the committee’s entry — the “Shamrock Express” — on Wednesday. The entry is a 1947 International Truck renovated to look like a green train.

“We just finished painting it the other day,” Shaughnessy said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it will be dry for the parade, and hopefully no one will stick to the train.”

St. Patricks Day parade

Several families and businesses have float entries in the parade, he said. Some involve music. Others have parts that move on them.

“There’s a lot of time spent on the floats, and there’s a lot of creativity,” he said. “We just leave it up to the people, and they can do what they want so long as it’s not illegal.”

Back at the Red Lyon, Neverve said he planned to serve up about 10 gallons worth of traditional Irish stew. He also has 13 kegs of Guinness Irish Stout — he ordered an extra supply for St. Patrick’s Day.

“We’ll go through about 50 kegs of beer in the day,” he said. “Our entire staff works the day. It’s a requirement to work that day even if it falls during spring break. But everyone has a great time and people seem to behave themselves.”

Lawrence Police Sgt. Dan Ward said the department will have officers to help with traffic flow and directing spectators during the parade. Officers will respond to calls as needed in the evening.

Ward said he was sure some calls would be related to the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Last year, police officers handled 507 calls on St. Patrick’s Day and filed 75 reports. Police officers usually handle about 300 calls on weekdays. Ward said the number of reports filed also was high compared with the usual 30 to 50 reports filed.

“But I don’t know that it will be anything out of the ordinary,” he said. “We’ve never had any major problems before, and we’re hoping everyone enjoys St. Patrick’s Day in a safe and calm manner.”