Think of it as St. Patrick’s Weekend, not just St. Patrick’s Day.

The actual event is on Friday, of course, but Sunday brings the biggest Irish parade in the region. It’s the Mystic Irish Parade, and it’s always a ton of fun.

The procession boasts 2,000 marchers and 100 units, and it steps off at 1 p.m. from Mystic Seaport, travelling down Willow and Broadway, onto East Main and across the bridge. It ends at the Mystic Museum of Art on Water Street.

A trio of local institutions — Olde Mistick Village, Mystic Aquarium, and Valenti Family of Dealerships — are each marking their 50th year, and in celebration have collaborated on a huge float for the procession. Duncklee Cooling & Heating is another 50-year business, and it is teaming with Waterford Country School for the parade.

This year’s grand marshal is Phil Pavone, who lives in Mystic and owns AZ Pawn Shop in Norwich. He created AZ Pawn Gift of Mobility, through which he has refurbished and donated more than 1,000 wheelchairs to residents living with disabilities.

The Grand Colleen for this year’s parade is Elizabeth Henderson, and her Grand Colleen Court will be Molly Kulick and Madison Porter.

Mystic Irish Parade, 1 p.m. Sunday, Mystic; route goes from Mystic Seaport on Route 27 to Willow and Broadway and then East Main Street across the bridge, ending at Mystic Museum of Art; mysticirishparade.org.