Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103150644
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: AMANDA BARRETT STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For the first time, organizers of the St. Patrick's Day celebration have dropped its age limitations. Previously no one under 21 could participate in the nighttime activities.
Louisa Likens, marketing director of WROV, said the sponsors are trying to expand the festivities. "We have tried to make it a good family event."
Likens said she hopes more young people will participate in this year's activities. "We hope that we will attract more college-age people," especially since one of the events, the Ring of Roanoke Irish Shuttle, will run toward Roanoke and Hollins colleges, she said.
This year's festivities will be held on Saturday, instead of St. Patrick's Day, which is Sunday. "We didn't want to interfere with people's usual Sunday activities," said Likens.
Likens said that about 200 to 300 people are expected to attend the noon parade at Lee Plaza. About 70 people came out in the rain last year.
A costume contest and games will be held at 11 a.m. at Lee Plaza, preceding the parade. The games will include a potato roll, in which contestants use a paint stirrer to roll a potato through an obstacle course.
Prizes for the best costume and best display of the Irish green also will be awarded. Last year's winner of the best green contest dressed up as Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. Likens said people are encouraged to dress in wacky green outfits for the costume contest.
The parade route starts at Lee Plaza, goes down Franklin Road to Jefferson Street to Campbell Avenue to the City Market. Marchers will continue through the market, up Church Avenue and west on Church to Lee Plaza.
Frank Blankemeyer, a Roanoke Valley singer and meat-packing executive, has been the grand marshal since the parade began and will serve in that capacity again this year.
Following the parade, Valley Metro will provide bus service to several restaurants for the second annual Ring of Roanoke Irish Shuttle. The Ring received its name from the Ring of Kerry, part of the St. Patrick's Day activities in that Irish town.
The shuttles will run from 1 until 6 p.m., and tickets are $2. The participating restaurants are Macado's in Roanoke and Salem, La Maison du Gourmet, 309 First Street, Charley's/The Roanoke Comedy Club and C.B. Halsey's, a new restaurant on Norfolk Avenue.
In addition to the other activities, WROV also will be hosting an Irish Jig Gig at 7 p.m. at C.B. Halsey's. Diamonds, a rock and roll band, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and $3 for those who participated in the Ring.
The festivities are sponsored by the Roanoke Special Events Committee, Budweiser and WROV-AM and FM.
by CNB