Downtown Merchants will be offering Irish-themed activities and fare to mark the occasion and, outside, you will find music, dancing, face painting, demonstrations and more! Free and open to the public and 100% family-friendly, this is an event you do not want to miss.
Traditional Irish Breakfast
Start with a hearty, traditional Irish Breakfast at the Norcross Masonic Lodge at 10 a.m. This will be a delectable feast of eggs, rasher, black and white pudding, beans, grilled tomatoes, and toast. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, and are available starting March 1st at any of the following merchants: Taste of Britain, VSOP Taproom, Good Things, and Antique Traditions.
Live Music and Dancing
Listen to the Lilting tunes of the Celtic isles with performances by The Gentry, an Irish trio band, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and a string quartet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tap your feet and clap your hands to the beat as the World Champion river dancers from the Drake School of Irish Dance take the stage. You can also learn to jig yourself and join in the fun!
Hurling Demonstrations
Visit the hurling demonstration for a look into the fastest field game in the world, a fixture of life back in Ireland.
Face Painting, Chalk Etchings, and More!
Snap a selfie with “Norcross’s Largest Shamrock” – a huge chalk etching decorating the streets around the festival. If you forget to wear green, don’t worry—stop by the Face Painting booth and ask for a shamrock. Hungry for a snack before lunch? The Taste of Britain is giving away gift boxes and door prizes and will offer an Irish Sampling for you to taste many Irish favorites from meat pies and Kerrygold cheese to Irish ale. Other merchants will also have special offerings for the event, so make sure to stop in and see what’s going on!
Irish-themed Menus
For Lunch, check out one of the many downtown restaurants offering special menus featuring Irish favorites and inspired fare such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Reuben sandwiches, specialty cocktails, and Guinness Beer. [See full menu at end] For those who want to stick around after the party, Farmhouse 17 will have Guinness Beer, Green lime-flavored Champagne, and Blue-Green Grass musician (Irish-inspired Bluegrass) Sean Bulow from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
There are so many fun and exciting festivities taking place downtown this Paddy’s Day, so put on something green and come on out to Irish Fest 2018! Sláinte Mhaith! (Good Health/Cheers!)
For more information on either event, visit aplacetoimagine.com
