Organizers of the 2024 Dallas Mavs St. Patrick's Parade & Festival announced it would be held rain or shine, and that's exactly what happened. Thousands of people attended Saturday's celebration.
Dallas Stars legend Mike Modano served as the parade's honorary grand marshal. He led a procession of floats and cars with his wife and children in a pickup truck.
Bill Richmond was there with his wife. They met ten years ago at this very parade.
“We literally met by chance on the float, and now we're married, we have kids, and we go on the float every year,” he said.
This year, I attended without my children to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our first encounter. In Richmond, we call it Irish luck.
“I'm not Irish, but I believe I am fully Irish now,” he said.
It's also an annual tradition for Josie Lozano's family. This year, not only will you be watching, but you will also be participating by driving a lowrider car.
“Her name is La Mariposa. I've had her for about 15 years,” she said.
Tora Arnold said she has been attending parades with her father since she was a child.
“My dad worked for the Mavericks all his life,” he said.
This year, he roller skated on the Dallas Mavericks float with friends Jalen Belvin, Traejan Belton and Seth Thibous.
“That's our job and our passion,” Belbin said.
Not only did Sadae Hednot's group celebrate their traditions, they also celebrated her aunt's birthday with drinks in hand.
“It's grown-up juice,” Monáe said, and Hednot said, “Yes, it's what grown-ups drink.”
Even children who were attending the parade for the first time, including 4-year-old Myra and 6-year-old Maren, were excited about the beads and candy.
“Happy St. Patrick’s Day,” they said.
Modano was scheduled to unveil his official statue outside the American Airlines Center after the festival, but the event was postponed due to weather and was held inside the center during the game.
