The 135th Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a family-friendly Atlanta tradition. The annual parade is one of the oldest parades of its kind in the U.S. and is the longest running event in Atlanta’s history. Started in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society, a Catholic and Protestant fraternal organization, the parade celebrates the city’s Irish culture and history. Want to go? Here are all the details:
TIME
Saturday, March 11, 2017. The parade will step off at noon and will wrap up around 1:30 p.m. It is a rain or shine event.
LOCATION
The parade will begin at the intersection of Peachtree Street and 15th Street, and continue down Peachtree to 5th Street.
COST
The parade is a free event open to the public.
5K RUN/WALK
Returning for the third year running is the annual pre-parade 5K run/walk through Midtown. The race kicks off at 10 a.m. This year’s race will benefit the Spina Bifida Association of Georgia. The top male and female overall race winner will be invited to ride on a special float in the parade. For more information and a link to registration, visit www.atlantastpats.com.
FEATURES
The parade will feature legendary BMX athlete, Moto Sasaki, dignitaries, and more than 2,000 dancers, musicians and Irish enthusiasts. Pipers, drummers, and marching bands both local and beyond the state of Georgia will also take part. Spectators should look out for llamas and Ghostbusters, not to mention the world’s largest walking Irish flag.
This year the parade has partnered with Colony Square in Midtown. As the host of the second annual Luck of The Square, the festival will feature live musical performances, face painting, green beer, food and more starting at 9:30 a.m. before the 5K.
For more information, please visit www.atlantastpats.com
