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2008
Atlanta Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 15th, 2008
-- 12 NOON
Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade - Atlanta's 127th!
Atlanta's 127th Parade
Begins
Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
In Downtown Atlanta
- Marchers Arrive 11:00 AM -
2008 will be the
largest, best attended St. Patrick's Parade since the first Atlanta St.
Patrick's Parade held 149 years ago in 1858. Again this year the parade ends
at Fabulous Underground Atlanta with Vendors, Food and FREE Entertainment,
Music & Dancing.
The 2008 Atlanta
St. Patrick's Parade will have over 200 units, including floats, bands of
every kind, military units, Bagpipe & Drum Corps, thousands of children (OUR
REASON FOR CELEBRATING), Irish dancers, clowns, high tech firefighting
equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, horses, antique cars,
dignitaries from Ireland, our own Government leaders, Celebrity Grand
Marshall Ronald McDonald and Honorary Marshal Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
and Grand Marshal Neville Isdell, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta's
best-know corporate partner.
This year is going
to be a much BIGGER DEAL than last year's record breaking parade & festival.
We expect to greatly exceed the 250,000+ crowd that attended in 2006. Many
dignitaries and 2006 participants are already on board for 2008.
Atlanta has always
been strongly associated with the Irish. The thriving city of Atlanta had
many well established Irish businessmen, tradesmen and farmers at a time
when some cities still restricted immigration and settlement of the
Irish. At one time all five of Atlanta's City Councilmen were Irish.
Atlanta's fire department attracted a large number of Irish.
The Irish have
always been an integral part of the City. The Hibernian Benevolent Society
of Atlanta was founded in 1856 to help the newest wave of immigrating Irish.
An Irish priest, Father O'Reilly, saved the churches and other parts of
Atlanta from General Sherman's armies during the Civil War. A huge number of
the Southern defenders were Irish, as were a great percentage of the
Northern troops.
Margaret Mitchell,
famed author of Gone With The Wind, wrote about her Atlanta Irish ancestors.
Her Great Aunts, the Fitzgeralds, lived in Clayton County at a place called
Rural Home. This was the place that became Tara in the novel. Anywhere you
look, the Irish have been here playing an important role.
The phenomenal
success of River Dance has spurred a resurgence of interest in all things
Irish. There has been a phenomenal surge in Irish Dance schools and Irish
Dance competitions. Irish movies and Irish music groups are everywhere!
In addition to the
“natives”, a huge migration from the traditional northern Irish cities has
brought thousands of Irish and their descendants to booming Atlanta. These
newer residents are accustomed to St. Patrick’s Day festivities and
faithfully attend the parade and other functions.
-
Almost 40% of Georgians claim Irish heritage.
-
More than 1,000,000 Atlanta residents are of Irish descent.
-
Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest “Irish City” in North America.
This will definitely be the largest, best publicized St.
Patrick's Parade since the first such event 147 years ago and we have
returned to the site of the first St. Patrick's Parade in 1858 - Downtown
Atlanta.
This year we anticipate over 250 units, including at least
28 major floats, bands of every kind, military units, pipes & drums,
hundreds of children, Irish dancers, clowns, high tech firefighting
equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, horses, antique cars,
dignitaries from Ireland, our own community leaders and a nationally known
Grand Marshall.
This year is going to be an even BIGGER DEAL than last
year's spectacular success. We anticipate that we will have to limit
registration to 250 marching units and 20 bands. Many dignitaries and 2004
participants have already signed up for 2006.
Atlanta has always been strongly associated with the Irish.
The thriving city of Atlanta had many well established Irish businessmen,
tradesmen and farmers at a time when some cities still restricted
immigration and settlement of the Irish. At one time all five of Atlanta's
City Councilmen were Irish. Atlanta's fire department attracted a large
number of Irish.
The Irish have always been an integral part of the City. The
Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta was founded in 1856 to help the
newest wave of immigrating Irish. An Irish priest, Father O'Reilly, saved
the churches and other parts of Atlanta from General Sherman's armies during
the Civil War. A huge number of the Southern defenders were Irish, as were a
great percentage of the Northern troops.
Margaret Mitchell, famed author of Gone With The Wind, wrote
about her Atlanta Irish ancestors. Her Great Aunts, the Fitzgeralds, lived
in Clayton County at a place called Rural Home. This was the place that
became Tara in the novel. Anywhere you look, the Irish have been here
playing an important role.
The phenomenal success of River Dance has spurred a
resurgence of interest in all things Irish. There has been a phenomenal
surge in Irish Dance schools and Irish Dance competitions. Irish movies and
Irish music groups are everywhere!
In addition to the “natives”, a huge migration from the
traditional northern Irish cities has brought thousands of Irish and their
descendants to booming Atlanta. These newer residents are accustomed to St.
Patrick’s Day festivities and faithfully attend the parade and other
functions.
-
Almost 30% of Georgians claim Irish heritage.
-
More than 750,000 Atlanta residents are of Irish descent.
-
Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest “Irish City” in North
America.
It's “IN” to be Irish in today’s dynamic times. Join us for
a great day and for a grand time as we celebrate Atlanta and her Irish
heritage.
VISIT OUR FRIENDS AT THE OFFICIAL SITE:
http://www.stpatsparadeatlanta.com/
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2006
Atlanta Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 18th, 2006
THE
125th PARADE IS MOVING
BACK TO ITS
ORIGINAL HOME - DOWNTOWN ATLANTA
Yet again we expect 2006 to be the
largest, best publicized St. Patrick's Parade since the first such event 148
years ago at the site of the first St. Patrick's Parade in 1858 - Downtown
Atlanta. Again this year the parade ends at Underground Atlanta for a huge
festival.
The 2006 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade
will have 200 units, including at least 25 major floats, bands of every kind,
military units, 6 Bagpipe & Drum Corps, hundreds of children, Irish dancers,
clowns, high tech firefighting equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs,
horses, antique cars, dignitaries from Ireland, our own Government leaders and
Celebrity Grand Marshall Ronald McDonald.
This year is going to be a much BIGGER
DEAL than last year's record breaking parade & festival. We expect to greatly
exceed the 125,000+ crowd that attended in 2005. Many dignitaries and 2005
participants are already on board for 2006.
Atlanta has always been strongly
associated with the Irish. The thriving city of Atlanta had many well
established Irish businessmen, tradesmen and farmers at a time when some cities
still restricted immigration and settlement of the Irish. At one time all five
of Atlanta's City Councilmen were Irish. Atlanta's fire department attracted a
large number of Irish.
The Irish have always been an integral
part of the City. The Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta was founded in
1856 to help the newest wave of immigrating Irish. An Irish priest, Father
O'Reilly, saved the churches and other parts of Atlanta from General Sherman's
armies during the Civil War. A huge number of the Southern defenders were Irish,
as were a great percentage of the Northern troops.
Margaret Mitchell, famed author of Gone
With The Wind, wrote about her Atlanta Irish ancestors. Her Great Aunts, the
Fitzgeralds, lived in Clayton County at a place called Rural Home. This was the
place that became Tara in the novel. Anywhere you look, the Irish have been here
playing an important role.
The phenomenal success of River Dance
has spurred a resurgence of interest in all things Irish. There has been a
phenomenal surge in Irish Dance schools and Irish Dance competitions. Irish
movies and Irish music groups are everywhere!
In addition to the “natives”, a huge
migration from the traditional northern Irish cities has brought thousands of
Irish and their descendants to booming Atlanta. These newer residents are
accustomed to St. Patrick’s Day festivities and faithfully attend the parade and
other functions.
-
Almost 40% of Georgians claim Irish
heritage.
-
More than 1,000,000 Atlanta residents
are of Irish descent.
-
Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest
“Irish City” in North America.
It's “IN” to be Irish in today’s
dynamic times. Join us for a great day and for a grand time as we celebrate
Atlanta and her Irish heritage.
The 2006 Parade,
Atlanta's 114th since 1858, is moving back to our original home. The March 18,
2006 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade will be held in downtown Atlanta. St.
Patrick's Festivities will begin Thursday, March 17 and continue through
Saturday, March 18th.
This year's
parade promises to be even bigger than the wonderful 2004 parade. A team made up
of members of the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta (HBSA), the Ancient
Order of Hibernians (AOH), Clan Na nGael, the Fire Emerald Society of Metro
Atlanta (FESMA), the Irish Information Center, and Metropolitan Atlanta Police
Emerald Society (MAPES) and hundreds of community volunteers has come together
to make the traditional Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade a community effort and a
really BIG DEAL! The committee members have worked tirelessly throughout the
year to bring this parade about.
One newspaper reporter asked why a St. Patrick's Day Parade is relevant in
today's world. Part of the answer is the obvious celebration of the Irish Saint
Patrick, but there is an even broader import to this celebration. It is the
celebration of the success of an immigrant people.
The Irish left their homeland for a variety of reasons - poverty, fear and
hopelessness. Many were transported as prisoners. Rather than finding streets
paved with gold, they found slums, prejudice, discrimination and hatred.
Saloonkeepers would post a help wanted sign for the most menial of positions
with the caveat "No Irish Need Apply". The Irish women worked at the most menial
of jobs and in dangerous sweatshops. Slave owners would hire an Irishman to do a
dangerous job rather than risk a valuable slave. The Irishman had no value. They
were at the "bottom of the food chain".
In spite of the obstacles, these people struggled. They settled in wild places
and they took the jobs no one else would take. Today the Irish can count among
their past and present numbers successful members in all walks of society. In
our country there are U.S. Presidents, Corporate Executives, Policemen, Firemen,
Priests and leaders of all types.
In spite of the odds against them, they struggled, fought and succeeded.
This is a celebration of an immigrant people. It is a celebration of success. It
holds out hope to the multitudes coming to our shores and starting out in a new
land. The success of the Irish is cause for everyone to celebrate and have hope
for the future.
St. Patrick's Day is not just an Irish Celebration. It is a celebration for all
people in our nation. We are all immigrants. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Ed Moran, Chairman
2006 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade
2004 Atlanta Saint Patrick’s
Day Parade
SATURDAY MARCH 11, 2004 1:00 PM
PARADE BEGINS AT 1:00 PM -
SATURDAY MARCH 11, 2004. YOU MUST ARRIVE FOR LINE UP AT 11:00 AM.
This will be the largest, best
publicized St. Patrick's Parade since the first such event 146 years ago.
This year we anticipate 200 units,
including at least 24 major floats, bands of every kind, military units, pipes &
drums, hundreds of children, Irish dancers, clowns, high tech firefighting
equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, horses, antique cars and a
nationally known Grand Marshall. This year is going to be an even BIGGER DEAL
than last year's spectacular success. We anticipate that we will have to limit
registration to 200 marching units and 20 bands. We even have firemen coming
from Ireland.
Atlanta has always been strongly
associated with the Irish. The thriving city of Atlanta had many well
established Irish businessmen, tradesmen and farmers at a time when some cities
still restricted immigration and settlement of the Irish. At one time all five
of Atlanta's City Councilmen were Irish. Atlanta's fire department attracted a
large number of Irish.
The Irish have always been an
integral part of the City. The Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta was
founded in 1856 to help the newest wave of immigrating Irish. An Irish priest,
Father O'Reilly, saved the churches and other parts of Atlanta from General
Sherman's armies during the Civil War. A huge number of the Southern defenders
were Irish, as were a great percentage of the Northern troops.
Margaret Mitchell, famed author of
Gone With The Wind, wrote about her Atlanta Irish ancestors. Her Great Aunts,
the Fitzgeralds, lived in Clayton County at a place called Rural Home. This was
the place that became Tara in the novel. Anywhere you look, the Irish have been
here playing an important role.
The phenomenal success of River
Dance has spurred a resurgence of interest in all things Irish. There has been a
phenomenal surge in Irish Dance schools and Irish Dance competitions. Irish
movies and Irish music groups are everywhere!
In addition to the “natives”, a huge
migration from the traditional northern Irish cities has brought thousands of
Irish and their descendants to booming Atlanta. These newer residents are
accustomed to St. Patrick’s Day festivities and faithfully attend the parade and
other functions.
-
Almost 30% of Georgians claim
Irish heritage.
-
More than 750,000
Atlanta residents are of Irish descent.
-
Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest
“Irish City” in North America.
It's “IN” to be Irish in today’s
dynamic times. Join us for a great day and for a grand time as we celebrate
Atlanta and her Irish heritage.
This year's parade promises to be
even bigger than the wonderful 2001, 2002 and even grander 2003 parades. A team
made up of members of the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta (HBSA), the
Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Clan Na nGael, the Fire Emerald Society of
Metro Atlanta (FESMA), the Irish Information Center, and Metropolitan Atlanta
Police Emerald Society (MAPES) and hundreds of community volunteers has come
together to make the traditional Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade a community effort
and a really BIG DEAL! The committee members have worked tirelessly throughout
the year to bring this parade about.
One newspaper reporter asked why a St. Patrick's Day Parade is relevant in
today's world. Part of the answer is the obvious celebration of the Irish Saint
Patrick, but there is an even broader import to this celebration. It is the
celebration of the success of an immigrant people.
The Irish left their homeland for a variety of reasons - poverty, fear and
hopelessness. Many were transported as prisoners. Rather than finding streets
paved with gold, they found slums, prejudice, discrimination and hatred.
Saloonkeepers would post a help wanted sign for the most menial of positions
with the caveat "No Irish Need Apply". The Irish women worked at the most menial
of jobs and in dangerous sweatshops. Slave owners would hire an Irishman to do a
dangerous job rather than risk a valuable slave. The Irishman had no value. They
were at the "bottom of the food chain".
In spite of the obstacles, these people struggled. They settled in wild places
and they took the jobs no one else would take. Today the Irish can count among
their past and present numbers successful members in all walks of society. In
our country there are U.S. Presidents, Corporate Executives, Policemen, Firemen,
Priests and leaders of all types.
In spite of the odds against them, they struggled, fought and succeeded.
This is a celebration of an immigrant people. It is a celebration of success. It
holds out hope to the multitudes coming to our shores and starting out in a new
land. The success of the Irish is cause for everyone to celebrate and have hope
for the future.
St. Patrick's Day is not just an Irish Celebration. It is a celebration for all
people in our nation. We are all immigrants. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Ed Moran, Chairman
2004 Atlanta St. Patrick's
| Since the
first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1858, the City of Atlanta has supported
the Hibernian Benevolent Society St. Patrick's Day Parade in memory of the
heroic efforts of Father Thomas O’Reilly and of the Hibernian
Rifles. Oakland Cemetery contains a plot dedicated to the Hibernian Rifles
in gratitude for their service to the city. HBSA members can still be buried
there today. |
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| The Atlanta
Constitution, in 1893, told of an eventful St. Patrick’s Day parade with a
full-page account of the festivities. The article read as follows:
"Three hundred Irishmen from the Hibernian Benevolent Society along with the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Catholic Knights of Atlanta, marching
to the music of the Fourth Artillery band filed into the Catholic Church for
Mass, at which Father Clifford preached on the life and work of St. Patrick.
Upon the conclusion of Mass, the societies paraded to the Opera House on
Marietta Street to celebrate." |
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| Over the years the parade has
grown. It is now run by Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade, Inc. ("The Parade
Committee") which is made up of representatives of the various Irish groups
that are an integral part of Atlanta's Irish community. A member of the
Hibernian Benevolent Society traditionally serves as President and Chairman.
Today members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Clan Na NGael, Fire
Emerald Society of Metro Atlanta (FESMA), the Irish Information Center and
the Metro Atlanta Police Emerald Society (MAPES) are all active members and
participants. |
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| In 1899 Monsignor E.J. Dillon
approached the current HBSA President and Parade Chairman Matt Naughton and
suggested that a larger parade with more participation might be had if a
"coalition" of Irish groups could be formed to plan and implement the
parade. This was the beginning of the "Parade Committee".
In 2000 the first joint parade was held in
Buckhead. Mary Harney, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister
for Enterprise, Trade and Employment was the Grand Marshall. It was quite a
successful parade. |
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| The year 2001 found "The
Committee" redefining itself and expanding. The 2001 Parade was the largest
and longest parade in recent history. There were 150 units, approximately 20
floats, five pipe bands, seven marching bands, five dance schools and units
from as far away as South Florida and New York. All of the constituent
groups contributed significantly. Actor/Author Malachi McCourt and Irish
Tenor John McDermott jointly served as Grand Marshalls. Special guests from
Ireland included Éamon Ó Cuiv, Minister of State at the Department of
Agriculture and Food and Rural Development and Adrian McDaid, Deputy Consul
General of Ireland. Crowds were estimated at 25,000.
In 2001 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade Inc.
was incorporated. Among the goals of the group are the education of the
general public about the significant contribution made by the Irish to
Atlanta, the South and the United States. Floats were donated to a number of
non-profit organizations, including the Lions Club, the Ulster Project and
others. The parade was expanded to include groups such as "Atlanta Young
Singers of Callanwolde" and numerous other groups not traditionally Irish.
Attention has been focused on immigrant people in general, in addition to
the Irish. We are working with the Atlanta History Center to try to develop
an educational exhibit detailing the place of the immigrant Irish in
Atlanta's growth and development.
2002 saw a greatly expanded parade with over
200 units and the largest crowds ever. Grand Marshals from New York
represented the NY Police Department, NY Fire Department and NYNJ Port
Authority. These honored guests received a welcome they will never forget.
As one Chief put it, "Now we know what you mean by Southern Hospitality!"
Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade is now the largest parade in Atlanta.
The year 2003 will see the beginning of a
scholarship program which will award a cash scholarship to the winners of an
essay contest. This program is still being implemented. Contributions to
participating high school band booster clubs and bagpipe bands is
expanding.
Participation in the parade is not just an
"Irish thing". All groups are encouraged to participate as long as their
unit is appropriate for a "family" event. The emphasis is on children,
schools and immigrants. |
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