Parade is back after pandemic pause

By Chris Kelly

The Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA) is proud to announce the return of the 41st Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival on Saturday, March 12, presented by the Dallas Mavericks — the parade’s top sponsor since 2016. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Greenville Avenue at Blackwell Street and end at SMU Boulevard and Central Expressway. The festival will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., with a concert at Energy Square until 5 p.m.

Attended by more than 125,000 people each year, the largest St. Patrick’s event in the Southwest will return after a two-year pandemic hiatus, featuring Mavs living legend Dirk Nowitzki as this year’s Grand Marshal. Nowitzki retired from the Dallas Mavericks in 2019 as an MVP and NBA champion after 21 seasons. His number, 41, was retired by the Mavericks earlier this year.

“Every year we look forward to one of the biggest events in Dallas, the St. Patrick’s Parade, and this year we are thrilled to once again partner with the Mavericks and Dallas’ own Dirk Nowitzki to bring that vision to life,” said Kevin Vela, board chairman of GAABA. “The Mavs organization has been our number one sponsor for many years and a phenomenal parade partner. We’re proud to work together to bring top notch family-friendly entertainment to the community while making a valuable contribution to area youth through our educational scholarship fund.”

 The parade has delighted families and children for more than 40 years and has attracted some of the best entertainment in the Metroplex. Featured event activities are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the concert going to 5 p.m. 

 “The Mavericks are excited to be partnering once again with GAABA in 2022 to showcase one of Dallas’ most beloved traditions,” said Cynt Marshall, Dallas Mavericks CEO. “We love bringing the community together, and as a presenting sponsor, the Dallas Mavericks are showing up big with the Mavs Express bus, Mascots, and ManiAACs.”

Proceeds from this year’s parade will go toward the GAABA Scholarship Fund, which provides a total of $45,000 dollars to graduating seniors in Dallas ISD. Each year, GAABA awards $15,000 to select students at Conrad, Wilson and North Dallas High Schools. 

Online donations may be made at dallasmavsstpatricksparade.eventbrite.com. Click: “select a time” and then “tickets.” Scroll to the bottom for the donations box and enter your desired amount.

“Our goal this year is to raise $41,000 in donations, which aligns with celebrating the parade’s 41st year and in honor of #41 — our Grand Marshal Dirk Nowitzki,” noted Vela.

 The parade will begin at 11 a.m., but the public is invited to arrive on Greenville Avenue for festivities beginning at 9 a.m. Because of the crowds and popularity of the parade, visitors should plan to arrive early and leave late. 

The parade route starts on Greenville Avenue at Blackwell Street — with street closures scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. for north and southbound lanes of Greenville Ave. — and ends at SMU Boulevard at Central Expressway. Alternative routes around the parade area include Loop 12, Mockingbird Lane and Park Lane, with access to Skillman St. Parade-goers are encouraged to ride share or ride the DART Rail, as parking is extremely limited. Recommended DART Rail stations include Mockingbird Station, Lovers Lane Station and Park Lane Station.

The Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA) was formed in 1987 to help unify area business and promote the Greenville Avenue region. Its first objective is and always will be the presentation of the annual Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival. The Parade 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 benefit the GAABA Scholarship Funds benefiting Dallas ISD seniors. More than $150,000 in scholarships have been awarded. Learn more at dallasstpp.com or on Facebook at The Official: Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade.

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