The Federal Clan's St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Parade Info
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FAQs... Need To Knows... This is where you find them!
 
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PARKING / SHUTTLE

Parking will be the same as last year, which seemed to work well. We have asked Spectrum Properties, who manage the parking lot at 3rd St. & Church St. if they will open it to parade parking. They have agreed to do so. There will be a $5.00 a car all-day parking charge, but it will be very convenient for you since the parade ends on 3rd Street & you can attend the Charlotte Goes Green Festival, which will be a block over on Tryon St. We think this is the best place to park, although there are smaller scattered lots around the area. Once again, we have made arrangements with our friends at Charlotte Party Charters who have the red London double-decker bus to shuttle parade participants at no charge from 3rd St. to the parade assembly site. The bus will pickup marchers at 3rd & Church St. and drop them off at the Hal Marshall Building. The shuttle bus will operate from 9:15am – 10:30am. That way, you will march back and end at the parking lot area. You can hang out at the festival and the car is right there when you want to leave. For people that would like to park close to the assembly area, there is a parking lot on the right side of College St. across from Hal Marshall Building. Parking is first come-first serve. There is no charge there, but you will have to walk back the 6 blocks from where the parade ends. If you have a trailer or large truck, that is probably the best place for you to park.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN CHARLOTTE

Q: When is the parade in 2010?  

A: The parade will be on Saturday, March 13, 2010 in downtown Charlotte beginning at 11 AM.

Q: What is the parade route?

A: The parade assembles & steps off at 9th & Tryon St. and marches south to 3rd & Tryon St.   

Q: What are the festival hours?

A: The festival is also on Saturday, March 13, 2010 and runs from 10:00 AM until 6:30 PM and  the festival is free to everyone!

Q: What is the festival location?

A: The festival is located on Tryon St. starting at 3rd St. and going down to 1st Street. The festival begins where the parade ends. The entertainment stage is at the 1st Street end.

Q: How can I apply to have my group march in the parade?
A: For parade entry information, click here.   Previous parade participants should receive application information via e-mail by late November.

Q: How do I get more information about being a vendor?
A: All vendor inquiries should be directed to Dyer Hart Productions at 803-802-1678 or fhartiii@comporium.net

Q: Tell me more about Charlotte, North Carolina

A: For further information contact Visit Charlotte at www.visitcharlotte.com  or Charlotte Center City Partners, at www.charlottecentercity.org.

Q: What about parking for the parade & festival?

A:  Parking is prohibited on Tryon Street before and immediately after the parade. 

There is a parking deck at the Wachovia Atrium & Plaza. The entrance is on 2nd Street between College & Tryon. There is additional parking at 3 Wachovia and The Green parking deck, and various public lots on the east side of Tryon St.

Q: Is there an alternative way to get to the parade & festival?
A: If you don’t want the hassle of driving around and looking for a parking place, why not take the LYNX train from south Charlotte to the parade? It's an easy ride and the kids would love it. The parade and festival are only a couple of blocks away from the train stop. Click on this link for more information. www.ridetransit.org

Q: What about hotels?

A: Contact Visit Charlotte via: www.visitcharlotte.org or 704-334-2282. 

Q: How late will alcohol be served on Saturday?

A: Until 6:00 PM.  

Q: Do I have to buy a bracelet?
A: Bracelets are needed only for buying alcoholic beverages.  You will have to show proof of legal drinking age (21) at the ticket booth.  There is no charge for the bracelet.

Q: Where are alcoholic beverages allowed to be consumed?
A: Only within the marked festival area.  The festival area will be clearly marked.

Q: Will there be food & beverages at the festival?
A: Yes, there will be a variety of food vendors that will also be offering beverages. Beer will be available for the duration of the festival.  Be sure to come hungry!

Q: Will there be activities for children at the festival? 
A: Yes, there will be plenty of activities for children. Come to the Kids Zone at 3rd St where there will be inflatable & other rides & amusements plus children oriented vendors like a balloon artist, sand art and more. For the more adventurous, there is Eurobungy that will be located at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Q: Is there a rain date? 
A: This is a "Rain Or Shine" event. There is no rain date. 

Q: Do you need volunteers?
A: Yes, we can always use more help!  Please contact Linda Dyer-Hart, using our "contact" page.

Q: What does "Erin Go Bragh" mean?
A: Ireland Forever.

Parade Rules

  1. With the exception of military, police, fire, EMS, and distinguished guests, eligibility to participate in the Parade is limited to those units specifically approved by the Parade Committee.
  2. Organizations and units participating in the Parade are subject to restrictions of the following activities, which shall be prohibited in the line of march:
    1. Any presentation or representation either immoral or in bad taste which could bring dishonor to the Irish Race and Culture.
    2. The drinking or simulated drinking of intoxicants.
    3. Participants under the influence of intoxicants.
    4. Use of water pistols, electric shocking devices, etc.
    5. Throwing of any souvenirs (such as beads, candy), promotional, or advertising materials either from floats or by marching units.   Souvenirs may be handed out to the spectators.  No flyers may be handed out.
    6. Firecrackers and any other explosives.
    7. The use of any sign, banner or any advertisement advancing any political or social cause.
  1. Organizations and units participating in the Parade are permitted to carry a single banner identifying their organization by name and place of origination.
Violators of any of the above rules will be dismissed from the Parade immediately.

Parade Route Photo
ParadeRoute.jpg