photo by: Mike Yoder

The Sandbar Funk float makes its way down Massachusetts Street on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

The NCAA Tournament will soon be upon us, but Charlie Upton, co-chair of the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee, is preparing for another breed of March madness this week.

There’s still a “lot to bring together” in the next few days before approximately 30,000 spectators and 120 floats descend upon downtown Lawrence for Thursday’s 29th annual parade, which kicks off at 1 p.m. at Massachusetts and 11th streets.

“Instead of drinking out of the fire hydrant, we’re drinking out of the fire hose,” jokes Upton, a 13-year veteran of the committee.

About 50 core organizers and approximately 75 volunteers brought in the day of the parade are responsible for orchestrating the big event, which this year will benefit The Shelter Inc. To date, the parade and its related events have raised more than $850,000 for local charities.

Judy Culley, director of development at The Shelter Inc., and retired Douglas County District Judge Jean Shepherd will serve as co-grand marshals in Thursday’s parade. The colorful roster also includes classic cars “revving their engines” up and down Massachusetts Street, Miss Kansas (among other pageant queens) and Upton’s personal favorite, the Sandbar float.

The Sandbar, a downtown hot spot, likes to get creative for the parade (past floats have included everything from a pirate’s ship and an erupting volcano to a giant wedding cake and a Medieval castle on wheels), and often takes home the top prize.

“It’s really the camaraderie of the event that I think people really enjoy,” Upton says. “It’s a lot of fun and very unique to Lawrence.”

And, for those concerned about any potential overlaps with Thursday afternoon’s KU-Austin Peay hoops matchup, don’t be. The parade should wrap with about a half-hour to spare before tipoff, Upton guesses.

“I think with the game being at 3, everyone’s going to have the tendency to move a little quicker this year,” he says.

For more information, visit www.lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com.