PICK: The Irish Festival at Church Hill
Feel lucky? If you’re still on this side of the grass, who cares?
It’s been 35 years since the glorious Irish festival began in our historic Church Hill neighborhood. So get out your green and head to 25th and East Broad Street this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. , boys and girls (if you go every day). Sláinte!
Ah, just let us hear the bagpipes playing! The Opening Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the Hill Topper 5k starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The organizers kindly ask you to leave your pets at home; a children’s play area will be provided.
According to the site, your donation “benefits the St. Baldrick’s Society and [it’s] Childhood Cancer, Church Hill Association, Church Hill Crime Watch, Richmond Hill, Child Saver’s Clinic of Richmond, St. John’s Church, St. Peter’s Meal Program, St. Francis Home, Greater Fulton Neighborhood Resource Center and many other neighborhood causes. Proceeds also benefit the historic preservation of St. Patrick’s Church, a “little church with a big heart” built in the 1850s by Irish immigrants in Richmond, and its outreach programs. »
Among the delicious dishes available: ‘Irish Surprise’ (corned beef, cabbage and mashed potatoes) prepared by the Ladies of St. Patrick’s Day, ‘Fish and Chips’ and other favorites provided by the Rare Olde Times Irish Pub, St. Patrick’s Grill, Curbside Creations and more. “This year we will be offering Guinness tastings with the Guinness Ambassador,” according to the site. That’s the kind of prestigious job you need during trash fires, isn’t it?
Remember Irish Fest is likely to get a bit crowded, especially as so many people are happy to be alive and winter is almost over: there is free parking with a shuttle bus at the 16th & E. Broad St., plus free parking and shuttle to Stone Brewery in Fulton with drop-off at 24th & E. Broad St. and 26th & E. Broad St. Shuttle runs all day Saturday and Sunday.
