Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade
Atlanta's St. Patrick's Day parade - started by the city's Hibernian Benevolent Society (a Catholic and Protestant fraternal organization) - dates back to 1858, making it one of the country's oldest.
Produced by Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade, Inc., the Parade features representatives from the various Irish groups that are an integral part of Atlanta's Irish community. Members of the Hibernian Benevolent Society, 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.
Among the goals of the group are the education of the public about the significant contributions made by the Irish to Atlanta, the South and the United States. Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Participation in the parade is not just an "Irish thing". The parade attracts individuals and groups from around the city and the South including clowns, floats, bands, Bagpipe & Drum Corps, children, dancers, drill teams, and more. All groups are encouraged to participate as long as their unit is appropriate for a "family" event. The emphasis is on children and families in celebration of all of Atlanta's diverse backgrounds on a day when "everybody is Irish."
