North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
North Myrtle Beach is ready to welcome residents and visitors alike to a sea of green as the 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street on Saturday, March 14, beginning promptly at 9 a.m.
The City of North Myrtle Beach is proud to announce that Marilyn Hatley will serve as grand marshal for this year’s parade. A beloved and respected leader in the community, Hatley’s decades of service and dedication make her a fitting choice to lead one of the Grand Strand’s most cherished traditions.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest on the Grand Strand, featuring more than 100 parade entries and drawing thousands of spectators who line Main Street each year to catch a glimpse of the festive floats, performers and Irish-inspired celebrations. This fun-loving parade of St. Patrick’s Day themed and decorated floats has been a 36-year tradition, bringing joy to generations of families and visitors.
The parade kicks off the 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival, which will take place on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival features live entertainment, vendors, food and family-friendly activities, making it a great time for all ages.
Marilyn Hatley was elected mayor of North Myrtle Beach in November 2001 and faithfully served until November 2025. Prior to her tenure as mayor, she began serving the community as a council member in 1996.
A native of Albemarle, N.C., Hatley moved to North Myrtle Beach in 1971 and established a successful hair salon business, Visible Designs Inc., which she owned and operated for more than 45 years. She is also president of DMAC LLC, a real estate holding company.
Hatley holds a Teacher’s Methods Certificate from the University of South Carolina and studied classical piano for ten years, competing at the local, state and national levels.
Her commitment to civic service is extensive. She has served on the executive board of the American Red Cross, is a past president and member of the North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club and is a member of Risen Christ Lutheran Church. She is an active supporter of the American Heart Association and works closely with numerous charitable organizations.
Her leadership extends beyond city government. Hatley is a co-founder of the Coastal Alliance, former chairperson of the Horry County League of Cities and a founder and board member of Coastal Carolina National Bank. She is a graduate of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute and has served on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Municipal Association.
In 2020, Governor Henry McMaster appointed Hatley to the Accelerate SC task force to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, she was appointed to the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank, which assists in financing major highway and transportation projects that support economic development across the state.
Maryiln Hatley resides in the Windy Hill section of North Myrtle Beach with her husband of 57 years, David. She has one son, Chad, and one granddaughter, Amelia, a graduate of Furman University.
Join in on the festivities on Saturday, March 14, at 9 a.m. as North Myrtle Beach celebrates Irish spirit, community pride and 36 years of parade tradition led by Grand Marshal Marilyn Hatley.
For more information about the parade and festival, visit StPatsNMB.com.
