The Chateauguay and Valley Irish Heritage Association held its annual queen selection and Celtic celebration on February 1.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the association and its yearly St. Patrick’s Day parade. To commemorate the milestone year, the celebrations leading up to and on the day of the parade will take place under theme, “From our roots we grow.”
This included the selection evening, which was attended by over 200 people. A total of six contestants with Irish lineage took part in the public speaking contest, which highlighted Irish storytelling, music, dance, and sports such as hurling and Gaelic football.
The 2023 queen, Madison Chandler, who graduated from Chateauguay Valley Regional High School last year, served as mentor for the contestants.
The new queen and her court were named following a lively sashing ceremony, where the grand marshal for the parade and the chief reviewing officer were revealed, as well as the Irish person of the Year and the recipient of the Tim Furlong Humanitarian Award.
This year’s queen is Olivia De Repentigny, who will hold court over the parade with princesses Hailie Aube McKenna and Brenna Alfred.
In an interview following the Celtic celebration, CVIHA vice president Keith Pine said he was hopeful that people will come out for this year’s parade. “It’s not just Chateauguay,” he insisted, pointing out that the association includes the Valley as well.
Pine confirms the CVIHA has reached out to several local organizations and businesses to participate, noting the association has a new executive that is trying to bring new life to the parade and events throughout the “green season.” “We are really enthusiastic about the way it is going.”
The CVIHA St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on March 23 starting at 1 p.m. More details can be found on the association’s social media pages as well as its website, cviha.weebly.com.