ATLANTA — The popular Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, an Atlanta favorite for more than 130 years, returns to the streets of Midtown on March 14.
The annual family-friendly parade celebrates the city’s Irish culture and history. Started in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society, a Catholic and Protestant fraternal organization, the parade is one of the oldest parades of its kind in the U.S. and the longest running event in Atlanta’s history.
This year’s parade steps off at noon at the intersection of Peachtree and 16th streets and continues south on Peachtree to the intersection of 5th Street. More than 200,000 people turned out for last year’s parade, and parade organizers are expecting a similar turnout this year.
“The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Atlanta’s deep Irish roots,” said Paul Gleeson, consul general of Ireland. “Families always enjoy watching and interacting with the many diverse groups that participate in the parade, and we expect this year’s event to be the best yet.”
More than 2,000 dancers, musicians, cheerleaders, clowns and Irish and local dignitaries are expected to march this year. The parade will again feature one of the world’s largest Irish “walking flags,” a large flag carried — or, more accurately, worn — by dozens of participants.
This year’s parade will include the Wells Fargo stagecoach, one of the most recognized, appreciated and enduring corporate symbols in America. Representing Wells Fargo for more than 160 years, the stagecoach has made more than 13,000 appearances in all 48 contiguous states, notably appearing in President Nixon’s Inauguration Parade and the Rose Parade.
Regional Irish dance groups will kick off this year’s parade with performance at 11:45 a.m. in front of the dignitaries’ reviewing stand at the intersection of Peachtree and 11th streets.
A new addition this year is a pre-parade 5K run/walk through Midtown. The race kicks off at 10 a.m. and starts at the intersection of 12th and Juniper streets. The top male and female race winners will join the parade on a special float.
“The parade pays tribute to Irish heritage and culture in a unique and fun way,” said Dave Fitzgerald, chairman of the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, Inc. “Throughout the years, the Irish have helped shape Atlanta into the city it is today, and this annual parade is a fitting way to pay tribute to those men and women.”
For more information and a detailed route map of this year’s parade, visit www.atlantastpats.com.
