Chattanooga will go green for St. Patrick’s Day with celebrations of the Irish holiday spreading green cheer throughout the community. On Wednesday, March 15, the Shamrock Society and the City of Chattanooga will kick off the 4th Annual St. Chatty’s Day Parade by turning the flowing water from the Fireman’s Fountain green.
On Saturday, March 18 at noon, The Shamrock Society, whose members include local area business and community leaders, will present the 4th Annual St. Chatty’s Day Parade.
"The parade is a family friendly event that will bring the best out in our community to celebrate the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day in Chattanooga," organizers said.
The parade will close or partially close the streets used in the parade route from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, March 18. Street closures include: 4th Street at Cherry Street, Market Street and Frazier Avenue, the 2 eastbound lanes of Frazier Avenue between Market and Tremont, Tremont Street between Frazier and River St, and River Street between Tremont and the Market Street Bridge. Staging will be in the parking lot at 4th and Cherry Streets and the parade will disperse after turning right on Tremont Street.
This year’s parade will be led by Grand Marshal Nick Lutsko and will feature local high school marching bands, The Hixson High School ROTC, Alhambra Shrine Units, including the Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band, Oscar Mayer WienerMobile, and much more. The Shamrock Society invites the community businesses and organizations to participate in this city-wide event by sponsoring the parade or entering a parade float in celebration of the historical St. Patrick's Day. Sponsorship opportunities range from $250-$2,500 and the parade fee is $25 per entry. All proceeds from the event will benefit Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block and the community’s youth.
Parade sponsors include: Queen Financial Services Corporation, EPB, Advance Financial, Elks Lodge, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Peace Communications, Professional Sign Services, Brewer Media, City of Chattanooga, David Queen, Clean Sweep, Brewhaus Bar, Carter Distributing, Chattanooga Coca Cola Bottling Company, and the Pulse.
Immediately following the 4th Annual St. Chatty’s Day Parade, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day will continue with the 4th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Party on the Parkway hosted by Honest Pint. The event, beginning at 2 p.m. on Patten Parkway is an all–ages street party designed to showcase and promote local and regional musicians, and celebrate the tradition of St Patrick’s Day. The Party on the Parkway festival uses the entire length of Patten Parkway to celebrate with an additional outdoor stage, food and beer vendors, and new this year, will feature a large Kids Zone with interactive games, crafts, dance party, Chattanooga Zoo’s mobile petting zoo, Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, and Party Girls Dance and Fitness Studio.
A special pub shuttle will transport guests to and from the event from several other locations on the Southside, North Shore, and downtown. Check the website
www.parkwayparty.com for more information.
Live music throughout the day includes: Rock Skool, Slim Pickins Trio, Caney Creek Company, Ashley and the X's, The Molly Maguires, Elk Milk, Kindora, Hank and Cupcakes, Side Affect, Superbody, Tryezz, and Nick Lutsko's Symphonic Sideshow.
Street entertainment will be provided by Sidewalk Stages Buskers, The Highlanders Pipes and Drums Band, and The Chattanooga Fire Cabaret.
General admission tickets are $15 for early bird and VIP tickets are $45. The VIP Jameson lounge will feature private VIP restrooms, an event t-shirt, and 3 beer tickets. To purchase, visit Eventbrite.com key word St. Paddy’s Day Party on the Parkway. Party on the Parkway will benefit Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block and SoundCorps.
For more information on the parade or to become a sponsor, contact Kelly Lowry at 423-757-5259, or email kellyl@kidsontheblock.net.