2016 Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Saturday, March 12, 2016

I headed into Atlanta the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day for the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Saturday wound up having bright blue skies, perfect to help celebrate everything Irish in the city.

Tens of thousands of people lined Peachtree St. to watch the spectacle of green as thousands of participants marched, played, danced and rode down the numerous blocks through Midtown.

Kathryn Rudder climbs through the letter O in Midtown at Colony Square Mall in Atlanta as she and her father Robert wait for the start of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Kathryn Rudder climbs through the letter O in Midtown at Colony Square Mall in Atlanta as she and her father Robert wait for the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Janice Summers (center) warms up with other members of the Atlanta Pipe Band in front of the High Museum of Art as they wait for the start of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Janice Summers (center) warms up with other members of the Atlanta Pipe Band in front of the High Museum of Art as they wait for the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Lori Peavy (center) wraps shamrocks around columns on a parade float as she waits for the start of the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Lori Peavy (center) wraps shamrocks around columns on a parade float as she waits for the start of the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Daylen Cusick (center) sits in her mother Amanda's lap as they wait for the start of the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Daylen Cusick (center) sits in her mother Amanda’s lap as they wait for the start of the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

The Budweiser Clydesdales make their way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

The Budweiser Clydesdales make their way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Sovianna Roberts (left), Teresa Harlan and Braeley Billingsley watch the Atholl Highlanders Pipes & Drums pass by during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Sovianna Roberts (left), Teresa Harlan and Braeley Billingsley watch the Atholl Highlanders Pipes & Drums pass by during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Atholl Highlanders Pipes & Drums' Roger Miller bangs on his bass drum during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Atholl Highlanders Pipes & Drums’ Roger Miller bangs on his bass drum during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Grand Marshalls Q-100's Kristin and Bert wave to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Grand Marshalls Q-100’s Kristin and Bert wave to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Georgia State Patrol MAPES Honorary Marshall Trooper Nathan Bradley waves to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Georgia State Patrol MAPES Honorary Marshall Trooper Nathan Bradley waves to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Stella Canty (right) throws beads to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Stella Canty (right) throws beads to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Carter High School's MaKenna Rayno (center) twirls her baton as she marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Carter High School’s MaKenna Rayno (center) twirls her baton as she marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as a leprechaun, Tommy Brooks (left) marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as a leprechaun, Tommy Brooks (left) marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Jenevieve Lapierre (left) and Aisoing Mahony dance their way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Jenevieve Lapierre (left) and Aisoing Mahony dance their way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Consul General of Ireland Shane Stephens (left) waves to the crowd as he rides down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Consul General of Ireland Shane Stephens (left) waves to the crowd as he rides down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Martin Luther King High School's Malik Gordon (center) plays his trumpet as he marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Martin Luther King High School’s Malik Gordon (center) plays his trumpet as he marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Ryan Walden flips upside down on a trampoline during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Ryan Walden flips upside down on a trampoline during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Two huskies, Sabre (left) and Dakota pull Erik Kosman down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Two huskies, Sabre (left) and Dakota pull Erik Kosman down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Lily Garcia (right) plays music as she rides a float down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Lily Garcia (right) plays music as she rides a float down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Cathy Bambenek (center) talks to Susan Herran during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Cathy Bambenek (center) talks to Susan Herran during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Kick 101.5's Cadillac Jack waves to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Kick 101.5’s Cadillac Jack waves to the crowd during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Natalie Montpas plays her bass drum as she marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Natalie Montpas plays her bass drum as she marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Wes Macky (left) plays the fiddle as he rides a float down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Wes Macky (left) plays the fiddle as he rides a float down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as a leprechaun, Rob Stephens passes out beads as he marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as a leprechaun, Rob Stephens passes out beads as he marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Atlanta firefighter Nick Bigler waves as he runs to catch up with his group during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Atlanta firefighter Nick Bigler waves as he runs to catch up with his group during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Christine O'Brien (center) talks to friends during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Christine O’Brien (center) talks to friends during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Richard Stinchfield (center) watches the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade pass by on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Richard Stinchfield (center) watches the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade pass by on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Atlanta Freedom Bands' Michael Boddie (center) twirls his flag as he marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Atlanta Freedom Bands’ Michael Boddie (center) twirls his flag as he marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Gabriel Morgan (right) and his brother Micah watch the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade pass by on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Gabriel Morgan (right) and his brother Micah watch the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade pass by on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Naiya Bateman (center) dances her way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Naiya Bateman (center) dances her way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as Darth Vader, Jeff Grossmann marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as Darth Vader, Jeff Grossmann marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Jacob Zwiger (center) blows his horn as he watches the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade pass by on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Jacob Zwiger (center) blows his horn as he watches the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade pass by on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as a Ghostbuster, Tracy Hill marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Dressed as a Ghostbuster, Tracy Hill marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Scott Fretz leads Quinn the llama down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Scott Fretz leads Quinn the llama down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Kelvin Harriss (left) and Ronald Gross dance their way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Kelvin Harriss (left) and Ronald Gross dance their way down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Charlotte Kilbride plays the flute as she marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Charlotte Kilbride plays the flute as she marches down Peachtree St. during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Mike Thiery (center) marches down Peachtree St. with the large Irish flag during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Mike Thiery (center) marches down Peachtree St. with the large Irish flag during the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2016.