The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (TVR) – Despite the clouds and drizzling rain, the town of Clifton Forge turned out in large numbers to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day festivities last Friday.
The parade route of what is known as the “Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Virginia” changed from previous years from Main Street to Church Street.
The crowd, dressed in St. Patrick’s Day regalia and colors, assembled at the Clifton Forge School of the Arts’ gardens before processing across the street into the Historic Masonic Theatre’s Underground Café (UC). The plan was to march to the LOVE sculpture at the Masonic Amphitheatre; however, due to the raindrops, the crowd ended up at the UC, where they were welcomed with refreshments, green beer and the Old School band playing.
The parade was led by bagpiper Tom Rogers of Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums, Salem, followed by a banner that read, “Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in VA”. Behind the banner was 105-year-old Parade Marshal Allen Hickman. Hickman, who also celebrates his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, was at the head of the parade, as he has been for most of the years the parade has been in existence.
Once the crowd gathered inside the UC, the band took an intermission so the annual Ugly Knees Contest could get underway. Out of the six candidates, Bill Altherholt, was declared the winner of the Ugliest Knees.
The students from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, who are in town as part of the Appalachian Express, took some time from their service work to join in on the festivities on their final night in the community.
As part of APEX, students from SJU spend their spring breaks in various parts of Appalachia to help spruce up communities.
The Underground Café was packed with smiling faces, dancing, eating and a good time had by all.
