A Great Day for the Irish – and Beale Street. And more!

The 46th annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Day Celebration was a great day for the Irish — and everyone else who attended the parade, which was held March 16th on Beale Street.

JoEllyn Sullivan, widow of the late restaurateur Silky Sullivan and owner of Silky O’Sullivan’s on Beale Street, was pleased with the event. “No doubt one of the best,” she says. “The weather was gorgeous. We had 90 different units in the parade. And we had four riding crowned kings. Our reigning king Joe Birch did a fabulous job.”

Last year’s king, Ed Galfsky, Carnival Memphis executive director, also was in the parade. “We feel once a king, always a king.”

Ellen Phillips was queen. “She teaches hula hoop lessons.”

Paula Raiford was grand marshall. “We have such a long relationship. She and her father were so supportive of all we do on Beale Street and Silky Sullivan’s.”

“Kiss Me I’m Paula Raiford” instead of “Kiss Me I’m Irish” was written on Paula’s shirt.

As for her title, JoEllyn says, “I am the principal liaison with the Irish Eyes of Memphis.”

The parade, which was named in Silky’s honor, is put on by the Irish Eyes of Memphis and the Beale Street Merchants Association.

“It’s such a wonderful thing when you see all the diversity in the crowd. You’re looking at old people, young people, geographical, age, cultural diversity. It’s all about the green. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for people to share a smile and share some fun.”

Sarah Lynn Foster is the 2019 queen of the Germantown Charity Horse Show.

Foster, daughter of Andrew and Valerie Foster, was introduced at the 2019 Queen’s Ball, which was held March 2nd at the Hilton Memphis. She was escorted by her father and Ben Wuller.

Foster is a freshman at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she is majoring in environmental policy.  She will hold court during the Germantown Charity Horse Show which will celebrate its 71st anniversary June 4th through 8th.

Eighteen princesses were presented at the Queen’s Ball, which included dinner and dancing.

Kindred Place (formerly The Exchange Club Family Center) is the horse show’s benefiting sponsor.

Not all of the restaurateurs at the 8th annual “A Taste of CBHS” were graduates of Christian Brothers High School. Some, including Ryan Trimm, whose restaurants include Sweet Grass, 117 Prime, and Sunrise Memphis; Frank Grisanti from Frank Grisanti Italian Restaurant; Armando Gagliano from Ecco on Overton Park and Libro; and Mike Garibaldi from Garibaldi’s Pizza were, but others just supported the school with their culinary expertise. Also on hand were CBHS alums Clark Orkiese and Will Goodwin from Crosstown Brewing Co.

Ken Kimble, CBHS director of advancements, describes the event as “the biggest one we’ve ever had. A big success.”

That’s in terms of attendance (more than 500), food and drink booths (39) and dollars raised (more than $40,000), Kimble says. And more sponsorships.

“One of the things we added this year was the sponsors tent,” Kimble says. “We had private wine selection from Athens Distributing. The Aaron family are Christian Brothers guys. That was a big hit.”

Larkin Grisanti, a 1993 CBHS grad, and his wife, Catherine Duncan, were event chairs.

“What Goes Around, Comes Around to Support The Children’s Museum of Memphis” was the theme of this year’s Cirque du CMOM, which was held March 2nd.

Universal Crush performed, a silent disco was held and food was prepared by local chefs.

And the Memphis Grand Carrousel went around and around with smiling guests.

The third Military Masquerade, held March 9th at Memphis Botanic Garden, was hosted by the Alpha Omega Veterans Services, a non-profit charitable organization that helps homeless and disabled veterans.

The event, which drew more than 120 guests and raised more than $50,000, featured live and silent auctions, entertainment by The Mighty Souls Brass Band, the QCG aerial performers, and cuisine from chef Kelly English of Second Line and Restaurant Iris.

ARS/Rescue Rooter was the “Medal of Honor” sponsor.

Cordell Walker is Alpha Omega Veterans Services executive director.

Stephanie Beliles was event chair.

More than $2,100 was raised for youth ministries at Calvary Episcopal Church at the inaugural Krewe of Calvary Gumbo Cookoff.

“We had nine different gumbo ‘krewes’ enter,” says Gabbie Munn, youth ministries director and event founder. “Over 100 parishioners and guests attended.”

In addition to the gumbo, King cake, pancakes, sausage, and even pralines were included in the NOLA-esque fare.

Guests dined while Munn’s dad, Lloyd “Hurricane” Munn, performed on guitar. He was joined for a bit by Calvary rector Scott Walters, also on guitar.

There was no admission charge, Munn says. “It didn’t cost to come sample, but we encouraged people to use their dollars to vote.”

The winning gumbo was based on how much money was raised in a team’s donation bucket.

The La Baguette Brothers, a Bible study group, took first place.

Also getting in the Mardi Gras swing were Allison and Alan Crone, who opened their home for their annual Mardi Gras party, which was held March 2nd. Alan is senior policy advisor to mayor Jim Strickland.

About 500 people attended the Memphis Heart Ball, the Memphis Heart Association fundraiser held February 23rd at The Peabody.

“It was the most impactful Heart Ball we’ve had with approximately 500 people in attendance,” says Libby Perry, American Heart Association communication director.

The event included live and silent auctions. Burning Las Vegas performed.

Dr. Roy and Lydia Bors Koefoed were event chairs.