Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Have you ever wanted to be “Irish” for a day, or are you just looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fun event? Have you ever wanted to join a worthwhile organization or non-profit group but don’t really have time for lots of meetings and yearlong events?

Well, the Krewe of Killarney is perfect for you! For only $30 per family or $20 for a single membership, you can join the Krewe of Killarney. You don’t have to be Irish or affiliated with any particular church to be a member, because on St. Patrick’s Day everyone can be “Irish.” We only have three events a year: one business meeting where attendance is not mandatory, our annual St. Patrick’s Party & Auction, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Krewe of Killarney was organized 33 years ago to have a good time and to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fun parade. However, our main goal is to raise funds to help Pleasant Acre Day School and Natchez Children’s Advocacy Center, and to award a $500 scholarship to a deserving senior from each of the area high schools: ACCS, CHS, NHS, and Concordia Parish.

We raise these funds every year from the membership dues and the funds we raise at the annual St. Patrick’s Party & Auction. This year’s party will be held on Saturday at the Fr. O’Connor Family Life Center and will be hosted by St. Patrick XXXII, Tom Graning.

During the party, the Official Shillelagh will be passed from St. Patrick XXXII Graning to our reigning St. Patrick XXXIII, Tate Hobdy. The party will begin at 6 p.m. with the auction starting around 7 p.m. At the party you can become a member, enjoy some good food, have a great time and participate in the auction to help with our worthy causes. Just bring your favorite side dish and items for the auction.

Tate will lead the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year and invites everyone to put on your favorite green outfit, purchase your beads from Pleasant Acre Day School, and come on out to join us for our annual walking parade on Saturday, March 16.  We will gather on Main Street by Memorial Park and St. Mary’s Basilica beginning at 5:30 p.m.  At 6 p.m., St. Patrick XXXIII Tate Hobdy (O’Hobdy!) will lead his faithful followers to the Gazebo on the Bluff, where he will cast all the snakes of Natchez into the Mighty Mississippi River!

Natchez and the surrounding community have a lot of Irish heritage and blood running through its veins. St. Patrick XXXIII Tate Hobdy would like everyone (of whatever heritage) to be “Irish” for a day and come join in the fun! If you can’t walk with us, come out to Main Street, catch some fun Irish trinkets, and show your support for St. Patrick as he leads his Krewe to the River. Watch out, you snakes! We’re coming for you.

May the luck of the Irish be with you always!

Eddie (St. Patrick XXVIII) and Cathy Walker are co-captains of the Krewe of Killarney.