The Rochester St. Patty's Day parade always occurs on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Some years have better weather than others, but it typically has a huge turn out. The parade begins at 12:30 p.m.
People line the streets with their conspicuous (or not) open containers and watch the Irish Dancers, People running for Judge, Radio Stations, dogs, and folks in uniform walk down East Ave/Main. People hand out beads, stickers, and candy to kids.
There were a few hiccups with the parade this past year, and they were standing still for a little while, but I think the experience is mostly just for something to do, and to get away with drinking in public. They have port-a-pottys set up specifically for the experience.
Local bars run 'specials', some have a cover charge. There are a lot of parties in the East/Alex/Park neighborhoods going on.
If you want to be wild and Irish Pub Hop, they had a bus running from Murphy's to Magpie, etc. around the city. read more