39th annual parade ready to blaze the Ave.

The 2018 Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival, presented by the Dallas Mavericks, is on Saturday, March 17, at 11 a.m. Dallas native Burton Gilliam, a character actor known for such films as “Paper Moon,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Back to the Future III,” is the 2018 Grand Marshal.

The Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival is celebrating its 39th year of being a time-honored Dallas tradition for thousands to enjoy family friendly pageantry against the backdrop of food, spirits and community. It has grown to be one of the largest St. Patrick’s Parades in the country, with more than 125,000 attendees and more than 100 parade entries. Proceeds support the GAABA Scholarship Funds benefiting Dallas ISD seniors. More than $115,000 in scholarships has been awarded. More information can be found at dallasstpatricksparade.com, on Twitter @DallasStPats or Facebook at DallasStPatricksParade.  — Christine Finnegan

Mark Cuban and his children at the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Festival in Dallas. Photo courtesy of Business Insider