How do I get to the parade start?
The line-up starts at 10am on Whitehaven Parkway. If using GPS, use 4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW. You MUST enter Whitehaven from Foxhall Road. You should arrive no earlier than 10:00am and you can continue to arrive until the entire line has left, which is usually around 11:40am. When you arrive, check in with an orange-vested Marshal.
Can I park on Whitehaven if I’m marching in the parade?
YES! You have three options. The parking garage at GW’s Mt. Vernon campus is open for use and located on the right side of the street. The St. Patrick’s Day School parking garage is open for use and is also located on the right side of the street. There are also a limited number of diagonal spaces on the left side of the street. Your car MUST be parked legally in one of those three options. Do not park your car in the roadway on Whitehaven unless it is a vehicle participating in the parade.
How do I drop people off at the line-up?
Walking/biking/scooter parties can be dropped off quickly at the top of Whitehaven at Foxhall, and they can walk down to meet their party, or you can drop them off at the intersection of Reservoir and MacArthur Blvd (use 4759 Reservoir Rd for your GPS) and they can walk up Whitehaven. Be aware that MPD will be closing MacArthur Blvd between Fire House 29 and Arizona Ave. well before the parade. There are no exceptions to this road closure. You may NOT drive down Whitehaven, drop off, and continue on — absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS.
Whoa, this line-up is a ZOO — Who is in charge??
The line-up is an absolute bundle of bursting celebration, music, joy, and FUN! But, it can seem a bit chaotic to a first timer. Don’t worry, it’s all going to be great, the Marshals have it covered. Look for an orange-vested Marshal. Those gurus will turn you into a parade pro in no time.
When do the streets close for the parade?
This will be a parade day decision by MPD, and we all respect and appreciate MPD’s commitment to safety! (Last year it was around 9:00am, but you didn’t hear that from us and don’t hold us to it.)
Do I need to register in advance?
You DO NOT need to register for the parade. All you need to do is show up, check in with an orange-vested Marshal, and get in line. It’s that easy!
I want to be first in line (or at least right at the very front) because I have to be somewhere right after the parade. What should I do?
Uh Oh … EVERYONE wants to be at the front! Here’s something that will make perfect sense as soon as you read it. If we don’t space out the music, dancers, politicians, kids, floats, cool cars, etc., and mix things up a bit, then it will be a very boring parade. And while everyone wants to be at the front, NO ONE wants a boring parade! So, please listen to the Marshals and follow their instructions. They know what they are doing and you are going to have a blast no matter what. Just think about all the cheering fans while you wait for your turn!!!
What should I do in the parade?
If your group would like to bring a vehicle, make sure you bring only ONE. Too many cars, especially clustered together, is tough on the crowds. We encourage walking, biking, or scootering alongside your main vehicle. Get creative. Make a float! Make it fun and interesting!! Play music!
I don’t know if my child can handle being in line for an hour and then marching without going potty. What do I do?
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church very kindly makes their bathrooms available to those waiting in line. We appreciate this very much and ask everyone to treat the church building with respect.
Can I throw candy or toys to the spectators?
You are permitted to throw candy or little toys as long as they are reaching spectators and not landing in the street. Children will run into the street to get them, which is dangerous, and we are all about low danger, very very low.
Will water be provided for the marchers?
NO! Please bring water for your entire group — it is always hot.
What is the route for this wacky homespun parade?
The parade starts at the intersection of Whitehaven Pkwy and MacArthur Blvd at 11:00am sharp. The parade turns right onto MacArthur, continues past Dana Place, then takes a left on Edmunds, a left on Sherier, and ends at the Palisades Rec Center.
So ... I just stop and leave my car at the park at the end??? That doesn’t sound right.
That is NOT RIGHT! Please continue on, following (and obeying) the cones blocking the first side streets and KEEP GOING all the way until you can’t go any further (like all the way down Sherier to Nebraska and back up to MacArthur), or you can quickly (and safely) park your car in a LEGAL spot. If traffic stops at the park, the parade can’t finish and while we never want the fun to end, it sorta has to because we’re all hot and hungry and ready for the next fun event.
You’re right, all that marching did make me hungry, where should I go?
Come to the biggest, greatest picnic of the year at Palisades Park! The picnic starts at 12:00pm, immediately following the parade, and is FREE to all! The PCA sponsors the picnic and the Masons will be serving hot dogs, the Lions will be serving refreshing lemonade, and we’ll have delicious watermelon, live music, moon bounces, a dunk tank, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, and face painting. Come one, come all!!
Wow ... this celebration sounds amazing, is there anything I can do to help?
Yes! You can volunteer!
There are multiple options for volunteering.
- Selling T-shirts: If you would like to join many of your neighbors who volunteer to sell t-shirts in June, please email Maria Garcia.
- Picnic Set Up and Clean Up: On July 4 itself, we need people to set up at the Park at 8:30am and help clean up at 2:00pm.
- Parade Marshals: During the parade, we need individuals to monitor each block and help keep the parade flowing and the kids out of the street. This is a coordinated effort and you should reach out if you think you can do this!
If you are interested in volunteering for picnic help or as a parade marshal, please email Jessica Davis.
This also sounds very expensive, can I make a financial donation to help?
Yes! You can make a donation to the PCA on the membership page of our website! If you are a business or would like to discuss your donation, please contact Jessica Davis.
I have a general question that wasn’t answered here, what do I do?
If you have further questions, you can email the Palisades Community Association or Jessica Davis. Please email well in advance of the parade.
