From the Post-Gazette:  Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, police Chief Nate Harper and parade organizers said they are continuing efforts to make the parade a family friendly event and to curb public intoxication.  Chief Harper said 95 police officers would be on Downtown streets along the parade route and in Market Square Saturday, augmented by 20 Liquor Control Enforcement officers.

During last year’s parade, officers made more than 100 alcohol-related arrests, up from 35 in 2007, due to increased police presence.  Jim Green, chairman of the parade committee, said, “We would like to reintroduce the family atmosphere to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There’s a lot of things you can . . . enjoy, aside from the drinking.

The parade steps off at 10 a.m. at the Mellon Arena and heads down Centre Avenue to Sixth Avenue to Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies, ending at Stanwix Street.