Tim and Patty Foley won’t be crowned king and queen of the Old Forge Winter Carnival until Saturday, February 15 at McCauley Mountain, but Tim is already laying the groundwork for his reign.
Unlike his predecessors who served only until the Carnival’s end on Sunday evening—he plans on commanding “his kingdom” until the crown is placed on the head of Carnival King ‘15.
“It’s good to be king—and I plan on taking full advantage of this great honor,” he said.
His first order is a challenge to local dentist Joe Rintrona as to who can attract the largest team of participants and raise $500 in the Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks’ Winter Sports Challenge on Saturday, an annual event that benefits the operations of the Kommunity Youth Activity Center (KYAC) in Old Forge.
The good-natured bet goes back to the inception of the Kiwanis event, now in its 14th year, with the prize being a swap in services by either the attorney or dental professional.
“It’s a great event for a great cause, and we’re happy to call attention to it in any way we can,” Tim said.
Next up was ordering his royal family to be in attendance at the coronation. Though his brothers will be unable to attend, daughter Molly and sister Lynda will be present.
“Yes, we will be joined by Princess Molly of Cambridge (MA) and Lynda Klein, the Duchess of Dudley Ave. But unfortunately, James (Doc) the Duke of Indian Point and William the Duke of Delmar will be conducting royal business elsewhere,” he said.
Tim and Patty have invited past Carnival kings and queens to join them at the royal table at the McCauley Mountain Chalet on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. for an afternoon of music and dancing by The Blarney Rebel Band, an authentic Irish band from Utica.
“They play regularly at the Great American Irish Festival in Herkimer and have been selected to perform at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick’s on March 17 at Twin Ponds Country Club—a tremendous honor,” Tim said.
Tim, a charter member of the Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day committee, said he has been trying to get the band to play at the parade for a number of years.
But this will be the next best thing as he plans on using Sunday’s event as a spring-board to publicize this year’s parade scheduled for Friday, March 14th.