This is one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the Mid-Atlantic region, and it grows larger every year!

Break out the green and bring the entire family to be part of this annual Roanoke, VA tradition! Whether you're Irish or just Irish for a day - it's sure to be your lucky day because all the festivities are FREE!

The festivities will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2009. The HomeTown Bank Celtic Festival runs from 10:00am - 5:00pm. The McDonald's St. Pat's Parade starts at 11:00am. The entire Celebration will proceed rain or shine so make plans and dress accordingly.

Be one the thousands of people who come to enjoy the award-winning McDonald's St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade features over 100 entries that range from clowns to dogs to Harleys to llamas; there is something for everyone to say the least including pipe and drum bands from throughout the region! come enjoy the Hometown Bank Celtic Festival featuring traditional Irish pipe and drum bands and dancers. Plus vendors will offer a variety of food including authentic Irish and Scottish fare and crafters will feature traditional Celtic goods including jewelry, handmade sweaters, and countless other crafts and products.

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Inaugural Céilí King – Ray Donnelly

Inaugural Céilí King – Ray Donnelly It’s extremely fitting that Ray Donnelly be crowned the very first Céilí King (in English “King of the Irish Party”). Loosely translated the Gaelic word Céilí (pronounced Cay Lee) means Irish Dance or Irish Party – and that’s precisely what we’re planning to have during this year’s Roanoke St. Patrick’s Celebration. Look for Ray riding with Mayor Bowers in the parade, and from stage at the HomeTown Bank Celtic Festival at about 1:15pm. Click Here for Complete Profile of Ray Donnelly, Plus Photos of Parades from the 1990's!

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St. Francis Service Dogs - Daisy (Golden Doodle) and Benson (Golden Retriever) - are this year's McDonald's St. Pat's Parade Grand Marshals

2009 Grand Marshals – Daisy & Benson Each year the McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade honors as Grand Marshal members of our community that “protect and serve” in exemplary ways. In recent years we’ve had members of the Roanoke City Police, Fire and EMS staff; military veterans; in 2002 we had search and rescue dogs that helped at the World Trade Towers 9/11 efforts and so on. This year all the services dogs from the St. Francis Service Dogs organization are being spotlighted, with specific focus on Daisy and Benson. These two are the first dogs selected and trained to help pioneer a unique new St. Francis Service Dog elementary school program called “Reading to the Dogs.” The “Reading to the Dogs” program targets 1st, 2nd and 5tth grade children and its goal is to improve these students’ reading skills. It’s an exciting program and we’re pleased to honor Daisy and Benson and to recognize the fine service work of St. Francis Service Dogs organization and all the humans and dogs that are so deeply enriched and helped by their efforts. Click here for more details.