Press Release: 22nd Annual Irish Festival in Church Hill

Join us for the 22nd Annual St. Patrick’s Irish Festival on March 24 and 25 in historic Church Hill. The festival will begin Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with a parade and include traditional Irish music and dancing. The celebration will continue with a street festival in front of St. Patrick’s Church on North 25th Street between Broad and Grace Streets and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The event will cover four city blocks.

Traditional Irish musicians, bagpipers and dancers will perform throughout the weekend on three live stages. This year’s lineup includes Uisce Beatha, Tinkers Damn, Susan Greenbaum, Billy Ray Hatley and the Show Dogs, Union Pacific Band, The Janet Martin Band, Gary Gerloff, Andy & Cindy, Bart Chucker Band, St. Andrews Legion, Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums, Page Wilson with Reckless Abandon, Floating Folk Festival, The Atkinson’s, Jonathan Austin and many other local favorites.

In addition to great entertainment, there will be plenty of family fun, including childrens’ games, face painting and Irish-themed crafts. Food and refreshments will also be available. This year’s event is sponsored by Loveland Distributing, Guinness Beer and Style Weekly.

Proceeds will benefit the preservation of St. Patrick’s Church, "a little church with a big heart." Built in 1859 by Irish immigrants, the church has required several major maintenance projects in recent years. Money collected will also help sustain community outreach programs at St. Patrick’s, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Conner’s Heroes, Richmond Hill, ASK and many other local charities.

We kindly ask that you leave all pets at home. For more information, please check our website at www.saintpatrickchurchhill.org. $2 donation at the door. Free parking and shuttle at 18th and East Broad by McDonald’s.

Contacts:
Stokes McCune, Festival Coordinator (804) 356-1093
Marion Kelly, Asst. Festival Coordinator (804) 737-8974