The third annual Madison St. Patrick’s Day Family Parade and Pet Walk will gather at Discovery Middle School on March 12 at 2 p.m. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Families, friends and their pets can walk for a good cause in the third annual Madison St. Patrick’s Day Family Parade and Pet Walk on March 12.

The informal parade will start at Discovery Middle School at 2 p.m. Participants will walk from Discovery to Bob Jones High School and back. The total distance of the route is approximately three miles.

“Costume and Irish dress are encouraged. The parade and walk will be a fun celebration for all,” spokesperson Mark Richerson said.

“This event is a fun gathering where families, friends and pets parade a short distance, no more than three miles, to show their Irish spirit,” Richerson said. “Last year’s event was attended by several hundred people and pets. We collected nearly 1,000 pounds of nonperishable food donations for charity.”

For 2017, “the public will get the opportunity to participate in supporting the Society of St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank and Madison Animal Rescue Foundation. Life South Community Blood Centers will attend and conduct a blood drive,” Richerson said.

The Venture Scout Crew 007 of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church organized this year’s event. “The St. Patrick’s Day event is expanding, and food trucks, such as O Taste N See BBQ, Regale Cupcakery and Ice Works, will be onsite. Girl Scouts will be present to serve up some tasty treats,” Richerson said.

“In addition, the event has many sponsors that support the event or support the charities themselves. These sponsors include Sun Drop Beverages, Colsa Corporation, Woody Anderson of Madison, Applebee’s Grill & Bar, WLRH 89.3, WZYP 104.3, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Signarama and Petco,” he said.

While the parade and pet work will start at 2 p.m., food vendors will set up earlier to serve food and beverages. Organizers will collect nonperishable food donations regardless of weather conditions.