eventzone » celtic festival

“The most exhilarating and authentic show from Ireland in decades…” kicks off the ‘12 Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Larry — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:48:57 +0000

The young and enormously talented lads & lasses of Celtic Crossroads made their Roanoke debut last year, and boy did they wow the audience! This year they are back with their newly updated World Fusion Tour show which adds an additional dancer and new twists. The show is presented by Jefferson Surgical Clinic and kicks off this year’s Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and is scheduled for Friday March 16, 2012 at 8:00pm at Jefferson Center’s beautiful Shaftman Hall Theater. Tickets are on sale now, and make great Christmas gift ideas – see this web site for details.

Celtic Crossroads presents Irish music like never before, set to do to Irish music what Riverdance has done to Irish dance. With the recent release of their “World Fusion” DVD (in partnership with PBS) Celtic Crossroads is taking the US by storm! This is not a performance to be missed!

Celtic Crossroads © is critically acclaimed as ‘the most exhilarating and authentic show to come from Ireland in decades – not to be missed’. It is an explosion of youthful energy and dazzling musicianship. Celtic Crossroads abounds with fusions of traditional Irish music, bluegrass, gypsy and jazz whilst pulsating with the rhythms of exciting Irish dance percussion. Spontaneous mid show ovations are the norm, and enraptured Celtic Crossroads audiences are always compelled to shout, and SHOUT for more.

PLUS, as a special St. Patrick’s Day treat, the Virginia Highlands Pipe & Drum Band will perform to open the show. The Virginia Highlands Pipes & Drum Band, based in the Roanoke Valley, was formed in 1983 with just three pipers and one drummer. Their sound is as traditional as the MacFarlane tartan they proudly wear.

It’s all part of the 2012 Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, which of course includes the award winning McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade, and the Roanoke Celtic Festival, featuring Roanoke’s legendary Celtic group Second Wynde, on Sat. March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day!). So break out the green and get ready to “Get Lucky!”

Roanoke St. Pat’s Celebration Moves Ahead – Weather Update

Larry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:10:04 +0000

All plans and times remain the same for the Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration this Saturday March 13, with only a few minor set up changes caused by the weather forecast. The latest weather forecast calls for steady rain beginning Friday pm, but ending early am Sat. – between 7:00am – 9:00am is the current estimate. Thereafter, a chance of a passing light shower remains – but not steady rain! Temp. around 60.

We have ordered the big tent to place in the Corned Beef & Company parking lot (Celtic Festival site) that will cover the stage, band and all scheduled entertainment activities at the Celtic Festival. The McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade will still start at 11:00am, the Roanoke Riverdance Challenge at around 10:30am (on Jefferson Street), and the Celtic Festival will continue downtown until 5:00pm

Please pass this along to all your friends. Don’t get discouraged and stay away if you wake up Sat. and see rain. We’re told it will pass and continue to clear as the day progresses. We’re planning to see you there!

For the fastest future weather updates, become a Facebook “Fan” of EventZone.

The sound of bagpipes at Roanoke’s St. Pat’s Celebration

Larry — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:55:45 +0000

So you love the sound of bagpipes! The 2010 Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration has got you covered. Here are the current Pipe & Drum Bands scheduled to perform in this year’s McDonald’s St. Pats Parade.

Jamestown (NC) Pipe & Drums

Jamestown Pipe & Drums – their mission is to educate the population of the Triad and beyond to the rich Scottish history of North Carolina through the use of the Great Highland Bagpipe and the Scottish Drums.

Warpipe

Warpipe is a relatively new, exciting, extremely entertaining Celtic Pipe Band based in Roanoke, Virginia. Led by champion piper Burt Mitchell, the band offers unique and powerful pipe music accompanied by highly innovative and energetic drumming.

Virginia Highlands Pipe & Drums

The Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums, based in the Roanoke Valley, were formed in 1983 with three pipers and one drummer. Their sound is as traditional as the MacFarlane tartan they proudly wear.

The Shenandoah Valley Pipe Band was founded in early 2009. The band provides traditional Scottish and Irish pipe music to the Shenandoah Valley and beyond, an area rich with Scots-Irish culture and tradition.

Shenandoah Valley Pipe Band

What would be better than bagpipes and men in kilts? Having a front row seat for the men in kilts, bagpipes with large drums! A day of celebrating Irish and Celtic culture wouldn’t be the same without the sounds of pipe bands filling the air. Be sure to get to downtown Roanoke as early as you can as this year promises to be one of the largest and best St. Pat’s Celebrations yet! The McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade steps off at 11:00am and Celtic Festival starts at 10:00am and continues until 5:00p.m.

It’s all FREE!

Roanoke’s Riverdance Challenge – Lord of Roanoke!

Larry — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:36:01 +0000

We’re going to challenge the World Record for the longest Riverdance line and we need you particpation! Get to downtown Roanoke early before the McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade and be part of the fun event! We hope to fill Jefferson Street with Riverdancers of all spaces and sizes. If you can move your feet and chew gun at the same time – you can do it! We’ll show you how. Tell you friends and spread the word. See our Facebook event page for continual updates. The line will start at the parade judges stand at Franklin Road & Jefferson St. (in front of SunTrust) and hopefully run all the way down to the Celtic Festival site (in front of Corned Beef & Company). Who knows, maybe even longer than that.

It all happens about 30 minutes before the McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade steps off.

Get there EARLY, the Riverdance Challenge starts at approx. 10:30am!

2nd Annual Bonniest Knees Contest

Larry — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:26:08 +0000

Men in kilts+ blindfolded women+ a few green beers = a hilarious contest you won’t want to miss!

On March 13, the 2nd Annual Bonniest Knees Contest will be held at the Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Celtic Festival across from Corned Beef & Co. So what are Bonny knee? The perfect combination of knobs, muscle and just the right amount of hairiness, smoothness and personality! Of course, the women who are judging get to determine for themselves the “Bonniest Knees in SW Virginia.” But you can judge for yourself. Don’t miss out on all of the fun festivities that will be going on throughout the day.

What’s the most outrageous contest you’ve ever witnessed or even been in??

For more information and details visit the St. Pats Celebration website!

Just look at these Bonny knees!

Capt. Chris Brown honored at McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade

Larry — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:04:33 +0000

Grand Marshal - Capt. Chris Brown. To honor his life and contribution to Roanoke

The 21st annual downtown McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade will continue its longstanding tradition of “honoring those that protect and serve.” The life, memory and contribution to our community of Roanoke City Firefighter, Capt. Chris Brown will be honored posthumously at this year’s Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Sat. March 13, 2010.

When EventZone staff heard that Chris Brown had died suddenly in October ‘09, we really wanted to do something to honor his memory. Chris served as a firefighter for the citizens of Roanoke City since 1994. Chris was a hero and inspired others by being such a role model.

The suggestion was made at the first St. Patrick’s Day Celebration committee meeting that Capt. Brown be honored posthumously as the McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade’s Grand Marshal. EventZone contacted Fire Chief David Hoback and he contacted the Brown family and they agreed, indicating that it would be an honor. Chris’ wife Stephanie and his two daughters Caroline and Hannah will be on the Grand Marshal parade float along with Chris’ mother, and sisters. Chris’ brother, Mark who also is a Roanoke City firefighter, a Lieutenant with Engine 5 C-Shift will walk along the parade with fellow fireman from Chris’ station. The Brown family will be acknowledged at the judge’s stand during the parade and after the parade at the Celtic Festival. The family will be presented a plaque in honor of Chris, as he was a dedicated person that worked to “protect and serve” the citizens of Roanoke City.

Roanoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Larry — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:24:58 +0000

Mark your calendar for Sat. March 13, 2010. Join us for 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 take place every year on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.

Click here FOR MORE INFO on the Roanoke St. Pat’s Celebration powered by EventZone. The The 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 Celtic Festival featuring traditional Irish pipe and drum bands and dancers. Plus, Corned Beef & Co. will be cooking up some mouth watering Irish inspired dishes. There’s more! Dozens of vendors will feature traditional Celtic goods including jewelry, handmade sweaters, and countless other crafts and products.

Also in 2010 the folks at Roanoke Catholic have a great way to get your St. Patrick’s Day off to a great start with the annual Shamrock Hill 5K Run which will be fun for the entire family. New in 2010 will be the traditional Irish Breakfast during and after the run. Check back as more information becomes available.

See Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration photos