Atlanta St. Pat's Day Parade (Sat. 3/15)

[jrsno1fan]

ONLY 11 Days 'til
2008 Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade
Atlanta's 127th in 150 years

Saturday
Mar. 15, 2008
12:00 Noon
Downtown Atlanta

St. Pat's Atlanta 2008

2008 will be the largest, best attended St. Patrick's Parade & Festival since the first Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade held 150 years ago, in 1858. The parade ends at Fabulous Underground Atlanta with Vendors, Food and FREE Entertainment, Music & Dancing.

I have already registered our group and paid the entry fee so I hope we have lots of show at this event.

[markwell]

Originally Posted by jrsno1fan

I have already registered our group and paid the entry fee so I hope we have lots of show at this event.

JR,

I don't know anything about this event or what the Underground is. Can you provide some more clarification about what the plan is? For example, what is the entry fee? Are we actually going to be driving in the parade as a group , or is the entry fee for access to the "FREE" stuff at the Underground?

Either way, sounds fun.

[jrsno1fan]

The entry fee is to be "in" the parade. We will be driving as a group in the parade, a driving float if you will. You could have someone with you throwing candy into the crowd. That's probably what I'll do. Underground is, for lack of a better term, and indoor mall. There are stores, restaurants, clubs and they are really all "under ground". That is the ending point of the parade. There is a parking garage there and we could all park and have some lunch if ya'll want. We will muster before the parade somewhere TBD later and will all cruise in and drive together in the parade.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have anymore questions and I'll try to find the answer.

Jr.

[jrsno1fan]

Updated 1/25/08:

We will pre-stage at the Kroger shopping center on Howell Mill, just off I-75, then drive together down to our parade staging area.

After the parade, will we travel to The Galaxy Diner at the corner of Henderson Mill Road and Chamblee Tucker Road, just 1/2 mile outside I-285 for lunch.

[markwell]

JR,

Count me in. I've also invited my father-in-law to be the designated "candy thrower." I had a couple additional thoughts.

First, in addition to candy, perhaps our dealer friends have some little gifts to throw out, like plastic keychains or something. If you think it is a good idea, then perhaps you can contact your Pontiac dealer who showed up to the Famous Dave's dinner, and I can contact my Saturn retailer.

Second, my father-in-law runs a charity. What do you think (and what would the parade organizers think) if we included some flyers for the charity? And maybe even go so far as to have a sign for the charity on the side of the car?

Originally Posted by jrsno1fan

Updated 1/25/08:

We will pre-stage at the Kroger shopping center on Howell Mill, just off I-75, then drive together down to our parade staging area.

Third, what time do you want to meet at Kroger in order to get to the parade in time, including the time the staging people want us there up front?

Fourth, you mentioned you paid the group entrance fee. I'd be glad to pay you back my share. Please let me know what the bill came to (perhaps once you get a better headcount of participants).

[Kurt]

I can't make it this time.

[ChiliSky]

That is our Anniversary weekend, last year we went down for St Paddies day but did not see the parade.
We just might come and do the parade, keep us posted on this but for now I will say a BIG maybe.

[jrsno1fan]

Yeah! I hope you can make it Kim!!

[jrsno1fan]

Attendees so far:

JrsNo1Fan
dunebug81
MrToyCrazy
Squirrel Boy
markwell
ChiliSky
64GTO
NeiceyBabe

[jrsno1fan]

Originally Posted by markwell

JR,
First, in addition to candy, perhaps our dealer friends have some little gifts to throw out, like plastic keychains or something. If you think it is a good idea, then perhaps you can contact your Pontiac dealer who showed up to the Famous Dave's dinner, and I can contact my Saturn retailer.

Done I've already spoke to Owen and he is going to give us keyrings and such.

Second, my father-in-law runs a charity. What do you think (and what would the parade organizers think) if we included some flyers for the charity? And maybe even go so far as to have a sign for the charity on the side of the car?

I don't see any rules against this on the parade website.

Third, what time do you want to meet at Kroger in order to get to the parade in time, including the time the staging people want us there up front?

Still working on that. I'll post as soon as I have an exact time.

Fourth, you mentioned you paid the group entrance fee. I'd be glad to pay you back my share. Please let me know what the bill came to (perhaps once you get a better headcount of participants).

No need but thanks anyway. My gift to you!

[jrsno1fan]

UPDATE 2/12:

We will meet at the Kroger on Howell Mill Road, just south of I-75 by 9AM. We need to be there earlier so we can pull out between 9:30 and 10. If you happen to miss this meeting point here are some directions to the pre-staging area.

From Howell Mill, take I-75 South and exit at North Ave. Get into the right of the two left turn lanes. Turn left on North Ave., then right on Spring St. Follow Spring St. and split left onto Pine St., cross W. Peachtree on Pine St. Keep in the right lane and turn right onto Courtland, then right onto Ralph McGill Blvd. Park on the bridge over I-75/I-85.

I have not received the final staging area from the parade officials once I get that it will be posted for anyone who wants to pass it on to friends and family who will be spectators.

[SkyBaby]

Depending on finding a place to .. snooze.... and if I am not sick.. I would love to try to make this one..... SkyBaby

[NieceyBabe]

There's a problem with throwing candy out of your car. According to the Atlanta St. Patty's Day parade website, you can have people that walk along side your "float" and hand goodies to the crowd. However, throwing objects from the car or float is prohibited. Here it is taken from the website itself (found under the registration page).

1. There will be no objects thrown into the crowd from floats or other vehicles. All objects must be passed out by marchers walking along the edges of the crowd. This is a safety issue enforced by the Atlanta Police Department as well as Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade, Inc.

2008 Registration

[NieceyBabe]

Otherwise, Count me and Andy in!!!

[markwell]

Originally Posted by NieceyBabe

There's a problem with throwing candy out of your car. According to the Atlanta St. Patty's Day parade website, you can have people that walk along side your "float" and hand goodies to the crowd. However, throwing objects from the car or float is prohibited.

This is understandable. I used to help organize the Jr Orange Bowl parade in Miami, and we had the same rule.

If our plan was to drive in the parade and have a passenger throw out candy, then the plan is not ruined. The passenger will just have to walk. Too bad, so sad.

Oh wait. My passenger is going to be my father-in-law. Not such a good idea to tell him to get out and walk.

[jrsno1fan]

I think I will still take a bag with me and see what the cars in front of us do. They've been doing it for years so we can follow their lead.

[NieceyBabe]

Originally Posted by jrsno1fan

I think I will still take a bag with me and see what the cars in front of us do. They've been doing it for years so we can follow their lead.

You're such a rebel, Kim

[jrsno1fan]

Originally Posted by NieceyBabe

You're such a rebel, Kim

Well, one does try!

[jrsno1fan]

UPDATE 3/3:

Got this in my e-mail today:

Hi,

Here is the information on the parade:

The parade staging begins at 10:00 a.m. Your group will be staged at Ralph McGill and Peachtree. Here are directions:

From North:

Take 85 South to Exit 249D North Avenue. Make a left turn on North Avenue. Turn right on Spring and follow signs to West Peachtree. Turn left on Pine Street and cross over West Peachtree. Stay on Pine Street and turn right on Courtland. Turn Right on Ralph McGill. Park on street at Ralph McGill at Peachtree. A parade marshall will help direct you!

The step off is at 12:00 on Saturday, March 15, at Peachtree and Ralph McGill. The parade ends at Underground Atlanta where there will be a St. Patrick's Day Festival. There will be entertainment, vendors, and children activities. We would love for you to stay and have fun at the festival.

For additional directions, please see our web site St. Pat's Atlanta 2008.

If you need anything, please give me a call or email me!

Here is a map of line-up. The X marks the spot!




Remember though that we will be meeting at our pre-staging area at the Kroger on Howell Mill between 9:30 and 10:00 and will all drive over together.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Jr.