On a rainy Saturday, Mar. 17, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place in Atlanta. The sky was gray, but the spirits of participants and onlookers were far from down.  

“I look forward to the parade every year! It is always such a fun day,” Maya Hemauer, parade participant, said. 

Musicians, dancers, girl scouts, rescue animals, public service organizations, and many other groups participate each year. It is used as an opportunity for members of groups to be seen by others and to advertise businesses.  

“I didn’t have a poncho or umbrella, but once the parade started and all the cheerful dancers and musicians started coming down the street, I couldn’t help but smile,” Stacey D’Agostino, parade onlooker, said. 

Despite the rain, the parade continued. At first, many participants were hesitant to embrace the change in weather and sought coverage. Some took it upon themselves to lighten the mood and encourage everyone to carry on and not let the weather bring them down. 

“My friend and I noticed that everyone, as far as we could see, had taken cover and looked disappointed, so we decided to go back to our spot in the road, play some music, and start dancing again. Soon enough, our whole school was out having fun, and then other groups around us came back out,” Margaret Edmonds, parade participant, said. 

One-hundred groups marched down Peachtree Street in Midtown, led by Irish leaders of Atlanta, the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta, and sponsors from the St. Baldrick’s foundation.  

“I think it was very important for the St. Baldrick’s committee to head off the parade, since they work for such a great and personal cause,” Maeve Hightower, childhood cancer survivor, said. 

On the morning of the parade every year, a 5K race takes place to sponsor The Midtown Neighbor’s Association, which works to make Midtown a better community. 

“The 5K is a great way to start off the day, and prizes are available. This is also for an important cause, and I think it is wonderful that Atlanta uses a holiday to do so much good for our community,” Julianna Stephens, 5Kparticipant, said. 

The parade has been a tradition in Atlanta since 1858, and it will be for many more years.