WELCOME TO THE FEDERAL CLAN CELEBRATION OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY
MARCH 15-17, 2024
WOW! Who is getting excited?!?! I am! Let me introduce myself – Jennifer Doucette. I am the daughter of Ann Federal and the oldest grandchild of Keegan Federal, Sr., and Mary Virginia Buckley Federal. As a representative of the “younger generation,” I will be assisting with parts of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities this year. I welcome any and all questions – please email me ([email protected]) if needed. I will either answer you directly or send you to someone who knows the answer as we have LOTS of GREAT experience on our parade committee!! Please check this site under the NEWS tab for frequent updates about the parade and the truly unique events surrounding it (see below).
We are so excited that MICHAEL FEDERAL has been selected to be the GRAND MARSHAL of Charlotte’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Quite the honor for our family and the Federal Clan AND well deserved for Michael!!!
Our theme for this year is ROCKIN’ WITH THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF ROCK AND ROLL in homage to our ROCK STAR brothers MICHAEL and LENNY. Our float will be the first float in the parade; therefore, we ask that you arrive at the designated location (to be announced) between 9:30 and 10:00 AM in order to be ready to pull out promptly at the parade start time – 11:00 AM!
Pre-parade information: (1) For those of you in Charlotte who are interested in helping with float decorations and/or repairs, please keep a couple of upcoming weekends open to help out. Marty Quinn and Mike McBride (our experienced float captains!) will assess what work is needed and will determine work dates which we will post on this site under the NEWS tab – be on the lookout! (2) Get your parade gear now! Online t-shirt orders will cut off on February 20. Please click on the PARADE GEAR tab on this site to order the parade t-shirt honoring the FBR&R and the parade bandana honoring previous Federal Clan parade themes. The bandana also pays homage to our matriarch and our Rose of Tralee – Mary Virginia Buckley Federal, and to Mark Federal as we are so thankful to him for creating a way for our family and friends to come together on this special holiday to celebrate love, loyalty, and friendship. We miss them both dearly and know that they are with us in spirit. (3) Side note – Thank you to Joe Doucette for the bandana idea! When thinking of the FBR&R, it reminded him of Michael and Lenny each always having a bandana in their back pocket, so he created the design to incorporate all of the themes we’ve used since 2005 (this is our 17th parade, y’all!) and also included a monogram to memorialize Mark and Mom/Grandmom. Very special.
Weekend Events:
Friday, March 15 – Kickoff at The Comet Grill – The Lenny Federal Band will perform from 8:30-12:00. We encourage you to come for dinner beforehand to enjoy good food and to gather with family and friends.
Saturday, March 16 – Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival – If you want to march with us (and we hope you do!), please arrive at our designated spot between 9:30 and 10:00 AM – location to be announced closer to parade date. The Federal Clan Kings will perform at the festival following the parade – time to be announced closer to parade date.
Saturday, March 16 – Federal Clan After Party at Lucky Lou’s Tavern – 7:00 start time. Some of our favorite musicians will be performing!! Lenny, Michael, Keegan, Cooper, Ben…to name a few … need I say more?!
Sunday, March 17 – Federal Clan Brunch at Lucky Lou’s Tavern – 10:00 AM start time. Please come and enjoy a wonderful brunch and wrap up the weekend with family and friends.
Thank you all in advance! Family and friends make this weekend so much fun and memorable every year! Let’s continue to make Mark proud and Charlotte Irish! We are grateful to be surrounded by such a dedicated village.
SLAINTE!!!
Jennifer, on behalf of “The Federal Army”
