There were bagpipes, political campaigners, Vikings and dogs. There were antique cars, veterans, dancers and drummers.

But mostly there was green.

Thousands of people adorned in shamrocks and dressed as leprechauns lined the streets of downtown Roanoke on Saturday for the city’s 24th St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

More than 100 organizations participated in the event, which began at 11 a.m. and lasted about two hours.

As the crowds dispersed from Campbell Avenue after the last float, many headed to the Wells Fargo Plaza for the Shamrock Festival or to Jefferson Street for Corned Beef and Co.’s Celtic celebration .

Both locations had a stage, where bands played until about 5 p.m., and an abundance of green beer.

Matthew Klepeisz , a spokesman for Downtown Roanoke Inc., said that by 1:15 p.m. more than 5,000 adults had requested wristbands in order to drink at the two locations. He said an estimated 22,000 people attended the parade and the two festivals.

“I’ve not seen so many smiling faces downtown since Dickens of a Christmas,” Klepeisz said. “There really is something for everybody here.”

About 20 vendors set up downtown, selling anything from hot dogs to handmade crafts. Klepeisz said the event covered more area this year than ever before.

“It has the largest footprint, with the two stages and the vendors lined along the streets,” Klepeisz said. “We’ve heard extremely positive things from downtown businesses. We are able to bring them about 25,000 people right to their front doors.”

This is the first year that Downtown Roanoke Inc. managed the event, and the organization made the controversial decision to introduce music other than the traditional Irish tunes. The Corned Beef stage on Jefferson hosted only Celtic music, while many rock bands played at the Wells Fargo Plaza.

As Klepeisz talked about the decision to add in the mainstream, “ 867-5309/Jenny” played in the background.

“People can enjoy whatever kind of music they want as much as possible,” he said. “Hopefully, it gets people to come down and stay down.”

While many welcomed the change, others wished for a return to the traditional.

“It’s not as good this year because there’s not as much Celtic music,” said Mark Craig , who marched in the parade with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. “Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”

And most looked the part. From orange spray-painted beards to handmade kilts, many onlookers appeared as festive as the parade participants.

Jeanne Cooley of Roanoke County celebrated three special occasions on Saturday. She turned 67, and sported bunny ears and a shamrock scarf.

“With my birthday and me being a senior citizen, I can mix holidays,” Cooley said while adjusting her Easter egg glasses.

Saturday’s parade was Cooley’s first, but she said it won’t be her last.

“It’s been lovely,” Cooley said. “You can be who you want to be, and everybody’s very congenial.”

Liza Deck, director of City Modern Ensemble , a modern dance company in Roanoke, said the well-behaved crowd made participating in the parade even more enjoyable.

“It was outstanding,” said Deck, who sported a green suit and top hat with green-striped socks. “The people were energetic, hyper, peaceful and fun. And all of the happy children, they loved it.”

When they weren’t requesting balloon animals, getting their faces painted or jumping in moonwalks, many children who attended the festivities enjoyed the men and women on stilts and the decorated dogs.

Rex, a 5-year-old corgi - sheepdog mix, received a lot of attention because of his green beads and shamrock headband.

His owner, Duane Howard of Roanoke, said Rex has been coming to the parade since he was a puppy.

“I don’t give him any people food at home, so what he really likes is sniffing for popcorn on the street,” Howard said.

Some parade participants used the event as a platform for more serious matters. Ken Cuccinelli, the state’s attorney general and Republican gubernatorial hopeful, used the event to introduce himself to potential voters.

“I’m half Irish, and it was just a positive, happy event,” Cuccinelli said.

And Travis Akins , who is running as an Independent for Roanoke sheriff, said the parade gave him the opportunity to meet a lot Roanokers, who are “ready for change.”

For Elizabeth and John Price, of Christiansburg, the festivities have become a tradition for several reasons.

The Prices have been attending the parade for 15 years and said they always look forward to hearing the bagpipes and shopping at the eclectic vendors.

Elizabeth Price, who made a shamrock skirt for herself and a kilt for her husband, said she was happy that Roanoke still honors the holiday that, in many other places, seems to be disappearing.

Staff writer Liana Bayne contributed to this report.

Weather Journal

15 hours ago