ALBUQUERQUE, NM-The City of Albuquerque and High Desert Pipes and Drums are co-sponsoring a fun day that they hope will turn Albuquerque GREEN and begin a tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day that will eventually rival those in major cities throughout the United States. After all, as they say in Chicago, "Everyone's Irish on St. Paddy's Day!"

On Saturday, March 14th from Noon - 5 p.m. the Balloon Museum will be the site of a parade, music galore that will range from local bagpipe bands to Celtic entertainment of all kinds-folk music, dancing, singing, piping and drumming-and much more.

A costume contest will be one of the highlights of the day, and all children 12 and under who arrive in costume will be admitted free of charge.

Food trucks will be offering a variety of cultural foods, including Shepherd's pie, Bangers and Mash, and other delicious treats. A beer garden managed by The Cooperage will boost spirits in more ways than one. Local favorite O'Niell's will also have a presence there, as will many other area businesses.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Main Stage
12:30 p.m. National Anthem
12:45-1:30 p.m. Anslovers
1:30-2:15 p.m. Two Celtic Coyotes
2:15-3:00 p.m. High Desert Pipes and Drums and Highland Dance Albuquerque
3:00-3:45 p.m. Shenanigans
3:45-4:15 p.m. Kid and Dog Costume Contests/Announcements
4:15-5:00 p.m. Five Mile Float

Stage 2
12:30-1:00 p.m. McTeggart Irish Dancers of New Mexico
1:00-1:30 p.m. Belen Goju Ryu Karate-Sword Kata
1:30-2:00 p.m. Celtic Singers of New Mexico
2:00-2:30 p.m. Enchantment Scottish Country Dancers
2:30-3:00 p.m. Iscuma
3:00-3:30 p.m. Tan y Ddraig (Dragon's Breath) Welsh Choir
3:30-4:00 p.m. Tir Conaill Academy of Irish Dance
4:00-4:30 p.m. Highland Dance Albuquerque
4:30-5:00 p.m. Fishback Studio of Dance

The mission of High Desert Pipe and Drums is to foster and promote Scottish culture and music, to perform locally, regionally, and throughout the western United States, and to teach the Great Highland Bagpipe & Drums in the tradition as taught by previous professional instructors from Scotland and other countries.

Tickets for the afternoon event are $6 and are available only at the door on the day of the event. No pre-sales. Children under 6 and all children under 12 wearing costumes will be admitted free of charge.

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a division of the Cultural Services Department, City of Albuquerque, Richard J. Berry, Mayor. Located at 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE just south of Balloon Fiesta Park (North of Alameda), the Balloon Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round (closed Mondays except for Fiesta). For more information, call 505-768-6020, visit www.cabq.gov/balloon, or call 311. For accessibility, call Relay NM or 711.