Atlanta Prepares For Largest  
St. Patrick's Festival  In  148  Years 

Atlantans are counting down the days until March 17.  The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, both family events, will be held downtown, from March 16 through March 18.   Organizers predict that the 2006 event will be the city’s largest since the first
St. Patrick's Parade was held in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta. Many dignitaries and 2005 participants will return to honor Irish heritage and showcase Atlanta.   New additions include the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and the Army FORSCOM Band.

“We are overwhelmed by the early interest in this year’s festival and parade,” said Dick Stormont, Chairman of the Board of the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Foundation. “Contributions to the festival and parade will help make this year’s event our biggest yet, and will showcase the highly regarded names throughout the city.”

Gifts provided by contributing sponsors allow the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Foundation to support the Parade, which benefits children’s charities in Greater Atlanta, including Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities and St.

Baldrick’s, which raises money for children’s cancer research. Major sponsors include General Motors, Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch.

The huge family festival at Underground Atlanta begins Thursday, March 16 (St. Patrick’s Eve) with free entertainment, music & dance performances. Festivities continue through the weekend, with The Prodigals, a Celtic Rock band from New York, headlining the concert at Underground on Saturday night.



The festival culminates on Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. with the 125th St. Patrick’s Parade. Nearly 5,000 participants will make up the 200-unit parade, including Irish dancers and musicians, marching bands, pipe bands, clowns, military groups and a variety of animals.

The excitement continues at Atlantic Station with Irish entertainment throughout the weekend in the Park District and The Clydesdales, which may be viewed by the public.
“Atlanta is in for a treat this St. Patrick’s Day,” said Ed Moran, Chairman of the 125th Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade. “The teamwork by all the groups involved has been exceptional, and we have positioned ourselves for a successful and sustainable regional family festival for 2006 and many years to come.”

About the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Foundation
The Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Foundation supports the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a three-day family-friendly festival, which benefits children’s charities, honors Irish heritage and showcases Atlanta.  The parade is the successor to the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta’s 148 year-old parade and is produced by Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade Inc., a committee composed of members of Atlanta’s Irish Groups. Sponsored by Atlanta businesses, volunteer organizations and Irish groups, the festival begins March 16 and features entertainment and free performances throughout downtown and midtown.   For more information, visit www.stpatsatlanta.com .