The 139th Annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade Returns to Midtown
Monday, March 6th, 2023
On Saturday, March 11, residents and visitors will gather once again in Midtown for the 139th Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade, presented by Irish Network Atlanta and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, CRH and Star 94.
Started in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society, the parade holds the title as the longest running event in Atlanta history, continuing the tradition of celebrating the city's Irish culture and history.
The parade will begin at noon sharp at the intersection of Peachtree Street and 15th Street and will continue down Peachtree to 5th Street, concluding at 1:30 p.m.
RECORD NUMBER OF PARADE PARTICIPANTS FOR 2023
Annually, hundreds of attendees line the parade route to witness entertainment from across not only the state but the country. This year more than 80 units and 2,300+ individuals, the largest in recent history, will participate with units ranging from floats, bands, bagpipe and drum corps to childrens' groups, Irish dancers, animal groups. A host of Irish and local dignitaries join in the parade as well, such as Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Irish Consul General Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir and special guest this year from Ireland, Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For local Atlanta parade participants with Irish roots, the parade is a much-anticipated annual tradition. Like the O'Riordan Clan, for example, who for more than five decades has made the St. Patrick's Parade a family tradition.
"My grandfather actually entered the parade for the first time in 1971," said Mike O'Riordan. "My dad continued the tradition and now my five siblings and I always participate. It's become a rite of passage."
Joining the O'Riordan Clan along the parade route will be returning parade favorites such as the John MacIntosh Pipe and Drums and Seed and Feed Marching Band as well as Irish ensembles Carpenter School of Irish Dance, Drake School of Irish Dance, King O'Sullivan Dance School, Atlanta Irish Dance by Burke Connolly and Phoenix Irish Arts.
This year's grand marshal is Ireland-native Georgia Tech Football kicker David Shanahan, the first from the country to be awarded a scholarship to play American college football.
