The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee is beginning its season with the opportunity for charities to apply to benefit from its efforts along with a two-day downtown event.

The committee will host a Half-Way to St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sept. 17 and 18. A street festival at Eighth Street between Massachusetts and New Hampshire streets will feature live music from 5 p.m. until midnight on Sept. 17.

On Sept. 18, a Half-Way There Motorcycle Poker Run will start at Slow Ride Roadhouse, 1350 N. Third St. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the five-stop, 60-mile motorcycle rally begins at noon.

Details — along with applications for charities interested in benefiting from the committee’s activities — can be found on the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade website, lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com.