St. Patrick's Day weekend kicks off with Dallas Mavericks parade

only hours to go until lower Greenville is packed with ST Patrick's Day partiers. The 43rd annual Dallas Mav ST Patrick's Day parade and festival is prepared for more than 100,000 people. It's known as the largest ST Patrick's Day parade in the southwest and this morning already kicked off with a five K run and now the fun floats and local celebrities are gearing up for the parade and our Don White. She's in the middle of it all in the heart of the action and you can already see from behind you, there's quite a few people out there. That's right, Madison. The five K is going on right now. We're seeing all kinds of festive people here, animals as well that are taking part in the five K. I'm here at the corner of Milton and Greenview Avenue. This is in the middle of the festival, which kicked off just a few minutes ago and for more on all of the festivities today, I'm joined by Kevin Bella. You're the chairman. So we're in the festival zone now. What can people do here? Yeah, we're right here. So we've got two big areas, the festival zone, this one and then just south down here in the Meadows area. We've got food trucks, we've got sponsor booths, we've got activities really exciting. The maps have just shown up there. The maniacs, the dancers, the mascots are up there. So lots to come and do here. There's a there's a beer zone. You can go into the into the beer tent back there and then again, check out the different sponsors. And if people want to come out for the parade, what should they know? Well, first come out soon because it's gonna get going around 11 o'clock and it's already starting to get busy. Looks like the weather is gonna hold off. So maybe a little bit drizzly should be a great time. But just come out, be respectful. Uh, you know, the parade is gonna start at 11 o'clock and start all the way up a black well. So Greenville and Blackwell and go all the way down to SMU. So really, as you can see, people are lining up both sides here of Greenville. So you can either come up 75 or come up on the east side of Greenville and you can find a spot up against the fences to watch the parade. Well, thanks very much, Kevin, for joining us. And in the next half hour, I will have more on what you need to know for transportation. If you plan on coming down here live in Dallas, Don White, CBS News Texas. All right, Don, I see you're prepared with that raincoat, but I do have a question. Are you wearing any green to that ST Patrick's parade? So I am. I did have a festive green dress picked out, but then it was kind of cold when I woke up. So I put on my my green jewelry. Okay, this counts and you have green green sneakers on two green items. You are very prepared indeed. Well, Don, we'll look forward to hearing more about that parade in the second half hour. Thanks so much. 43rd annual Dallas Mav ST Patrick's Day Parade and Festival is expected to bring 125,000 people to that area of Dallas today. That parade kicks off at 11 this morning, but the festival and the parties are already underway. Our Don White has what you can expect. And Don, you're in a festive mood. I can see you've already got the party started. I am. You don't have to get the party started here with the parade starting in about an hour and a half. Now this squid hat was talking to me. You know, never wore squid hat. The lights up, but always the first and we're starting to see people line the streets here with the parade starting in about an hour and a half. Now people getting in their festive spirits. The festival also is underway. That goes until three o'clock. And for more on all of the fun that you can have today, I'm joined by Kevin Vela, the chairman. So what should people do if they want to come to the parade as far as transportation? First of all, I really like your hat on. Really? Thank you. Thank you. So we encourage people to use dark, our official transportation partner, and there's three stops you can get off at Mockingbird Lovers, which is your best bet right in the middle of festival. We're up at park and walk down, but really encourage people use dark. They just opened up Greenville for a minute to let some traffic go through, but they're gonna shut this down. They'll all be shut down for a few hours. And if families are coming here with kids, where should they go for some fun activities? Well, first of all, we're very proud that our parade is still a responsible event. People can come out, drink some green beer, have a good time. But if families want to come out and be in a dry, no alcohol area, we encourage them to come to Comerica Bank. They're our official banking partner, and they have a family friendly fun zone. Lots of kid activities. No alcohol right here at the corner of Lovers in Greenville. The parade kicks off at 11. What can people expect this year? Well, we've got over 50 floats coming down the parade, so starting right at 11 o'clock. One thing that I haven't mentioned with you is our grand marshal. This year's Mike Madonna. Dallas Stars. Great. He will be on the first float waving everybody, and then he will be. They will be unveiling his statute at the A. C. Tonight. So big day for Mike Madonna. Really happy to have him as our grand marshal. Thanks, Kevin, for joining us. And again, the parade is going to be along Greenville Avenue. That is starting at 11 o'clock. About 125,000 people were out here last year. So far, we're seeing a pretty good turnout here, and then the festival continues until three p.m. Live in Dallas. Dawn White, CBS News, Texas. Yeah, that parade is a lot of fun. I was in it one time, and let me just tell you, I think I had more jello shots thrown at me than I've ever thought possible. Eso I'm really glad that Kevin mentioned that there's some family friendly areas like Comerica Bank for kids to be able to enjoy a very safe environment because that parade can get a little bit rowdy, but it is sure a lot of fun. So, Don, we appreciate you highlighting it for sure, and it is going to take some patience. You heard Kevin mentioned all the traffic closures. So if you had to Greenville Avenue this morning, go ahead and pack your patience because Greenville Avenue between Park Lane and Mockingbird Lane is going to be closed until about four o'clock this afternoon because of that parade. And then several surrounding streets are also going to be shut down. That includes Vanderbilt and Victory Boulevard being closed until seven o'clock tonight. So organizers, like you heard Kevin mentioned, recommend taking dart and certainly steering clear of Greenville Avenue to avoid the congestion and the crowds of people. So instead, maybe use areas like Skillman Street, Macmillan Avenue and Central Expressway to travel north and southbound during that time.