The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has raised over $100,000 in donations since 2017, according to wate.com.
Proceeds of the event will go to Catholic Charities of Tennessee. Chandle Turbyville, co-founder and current organizer of the parade, said her organization works solely for the benefit of the community — they selected CCETN because of the variety of their programs.
“We chose them because they have over 15 programs that work to help the most vulnerable groups in Eastern Tennessee from embryo to elderly,” Turbyville said. “They do so much for our community all the way from Chattanooga to Knoxville, and then up to Eastern Tennessee.”
CCETN works to provide disaster relief and child support for young families in Eastern Tennessee. Turbyville stated they also support everyone regardless of affiliations — it isn’t a charity exclusively for Catholics.
CCETN supported more than 4,580 people in the previous fiscal year and less than 5% of the people the organization assists are Catholic.
Christy Watkins, co-founder and current organizer of the parade, said the charity embodies the same values seen in the parade. St. Patrick’s Day is special because it unites the Knoxville community while breaking down borders.
“Everybody’s quote unquote Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and we want to bring that to Knoxville,” Watkins said.
Knoxville began celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the 1850s and continued the tradition as the city started the parade in 1869.
Watkins said she and Turbyville brought the parade back to Knoxville a few years back because it holds a rich history intertwined with Irish immigrants.
Knoxville takes great pride in this holiday since some of Knoxville’s founders were Irish immigrants, according to Knox St. Patrick’s Parade’s website. These individuals made significant contributions to the city as they constructed railroads, churches and forts and held important positions like mayors, firemen and police.
For those looking to help out and find a similar experience of camaraderie, Watkins said her organization warmly welcomes students — it’s a great opportunity for them to make connections and uplift this tradition.
“We absolutely want UT students to come down — we know it’s spring break and a lot of students leave,” Watkins said. “But the students that don’t, come down and enjoy the culture, the fun, the atmosphere — everything.”
According to Turbyville, those who do not participate in the parade will not be judged for their different beliefs or affiliations — the diversity of groups reflects the organization’s main motivation.
“Both sides of the aisle are going to be represented at the show this year, and we all get along on St. Patrick’s Day because we all just see our community,” Turbyville said. “As long as you are wearing green, come out and see it.”
One special guest for this year is Harrison Smith, an NFL player for the Vikings. He played for the Notre Dame “Fighting Irish” football team in college, a connection that might appear in the festivities. Smith will lead the parade through the city’s heart this year.
The Knox St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at Gay Street on March 15 at 1 p.m. and travels down to Magnolia Avenue.
Entry to the parade costs $100 — if students want to attend the event, splitting the cost across multiple people makes it more accessible for everyone. For more information about this event, visit the parade’s website.
