So what is the Céilí King or Céilí Queen (pronounced “Cay Lee) anyway? Well from Gaelic to English it has been translated to mean “King/Queen of the party” or “King/Queen of the dance.” So we have taken an even looser translation and made it to mean “King (or Queen) of the Festival,” in this case the “King” of the McDonald's St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Celtic Festival.

But really this honorary title, which carries with it absolutely no responsibility at all other than to have a wee bit o’ fun, is our way of recognizing and acknowledging local citizens who years ago helped start, promote and grow the McDonald's St. Patrick’s Day Celebration into the huge event and parade it is today.

As the local “folk lore” of the early days of this celebration and parade goes (and we have checked it out for accuracy), the 1994 Roanoke City St. Patrick’s Day parade included 50 marchers with perhaps less than that watching (click here to read full article). We’ve been told by an eyewitness who happened to be sitting in Texas Tavern when the parade passed that year, that the entire parade took less than a minute to pass by. Pretty humble beginnings indeed, especially for a city and region populated by so many Scots –Irish immigrants.

Well thank goodness that at that time a recent Irish immigrant from the north-country (1992 from New York area), Ray Donnelly, happened to be one of those watching the parade – and what he saw was less than impressive. By the way, Ray Donnelly was the inaugural Céilí King last year.

So as the legend continues, Ray Donnelly, goes to see than Roanoke City mayor, David Bowers and is reported to have held nothing back when stating, “Mr. Mayor your St. Patrick’s Day parade stinks.” Then in a wave of Irish wisdom and good fortune, Mayor Bowers responds, “Well Mr. Donnelly, what are WE going to do about it?”

Thus began the rapid and continual growth of this parade and festival. From that point forward, the City of Roanoke, urged by Mayor Bowers, helped pave the way for Ray Donnelly and his Knights of Columbus associates to begin promoting and organizing this event. Eventually the St. Patrick’s Celebration became a City of Roanoke run event again, and then in 2003 when the non-profit organization EventZone was created to help manage some downtown festivals, the St. Pat’s Celebration can under the EventZone umbrella.

We at EventZone know how much work and energy goes into making any festival or event a success, this is one reason we and the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration committee feel it’s critical to acknowledge and celebrate the work of those who helped this celebration grow and continue. Today over 2,500 marchers will participate in the McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade, and it is estimated that 10,000+ spectators will pack downtown to watch the parade, enjoy the Celtic Festival and the downtown restaurants, shops and the City Market. It is one of downtown Roanoke’s busiest day of the year.

Céilí King, Mayor David Bowers, believe that the region’s Scots-Irish ancestry is just one reason this event has become so popular. Bowers suggests that, “St. Pat’s comes at a time of year when folks just want to get outside and enjoy. Plus Roanoke is just simply a fun place to live,” he adds. We could not agree more!

See the 2010 Céilí King, Mayor David Bowers in the parade and at a brief presentation at the Celtic Festival.