Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Shares Unique Bond With Mother
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh will be a sea of green this weekend.
The annual St. Patrick's Day parade steps off Saturday morning and a lot of attention will be on Miss Smiling Irish Eyes.
More than 23,000 people are set to march through the streets of Downtown for the annual parade.
There will be bands, floats and plenty of performers.
One of the highlights, as always, Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and this year's queen is 20-year-old Fiona Connolly, of Swisshelm Park.
"It's an incredible honor, I mean to be able to represent Pittsburgh's vast Irish community, it's something I'll cherish forever, so I'm very excited," Connolly said.
Connoly is studying pharmacy at Duquesne University. She's active in Pittsburgh's Irish community and she's happy her efforts are being recognized.
However, being named Miss Smiling Irish Eyes is even more special for another reason.
Her mother, Bridget, held the title 22 years ago.
"In 1994, it was a great time. My best friend was in my court with me, so we had a great time and we got to go to Ireland and participate in the Maid of the Mourne contest, which was wonderful," Bridget said.
She's shared the stories from that trip with her daughter.
Now, the two have another connection to share.
This is the first time in the parade's history that a mother and daughter have both been named Miss Smiling Irish Eyes.
"I'm so excited, I couldn't be happier. I'm so proud of her, all the ladies in the court are such lovey young women and it's really nice to see strong Irish women in our community," Bridget said.
The parade kicks off at the Greyhound bus station at 10 a.m.
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