WHAT COULD BE MORE IRISH THAN ERIN?

If anyone takes St. Patrick's Day seriously in Tennessee, it's the folks in Erin. And this year they're really out to get carried away with celebrating.

 

In fact, "Get Carried Away with Irish Day" is the theme of the 43^rd Annual Irish Celebration in the Tennessee town with the Irish name. There's so much planned they stretched St. Patty's Day into St. Patty's three-weeks. Events begin the weekend of Feb. 26 and continue through the first few weeks of March culminating with the Irish banquet held on Friday, March 18 and the annual children and adult parades held on Saturday, March 19.

 

The annual Irish Celebration has evolved from its roots as a small St. Patrick's Day festival into nearly two full weeks of pageants, musical shows, luncheons, a week-long carnival, music on the square, an Irish market and café, crafters visiting from all over the country, a bass tournament, a big breakfast for the past Lord High Mayors and many other forms of entertainment.

 

The annual Irish Celebration began in 1963. It was the foresight of a local physician, Dr. O.S. Luton. He appeared before the Chamber of Commerce with the idea of celebrating Irish heritage with a parade and a banquet on St. Patrick's Day.

 

Each year the local community names a Lord High Mayor, who presides over the celebration and it is the highest honor that can be awarded to anyone in Houston County. This is a highly guarded secret that is announced, along with eight O.S. Luton Emerald awards that are given at the kick-off breakfast. All of these awards are given to citizens of Houston County for outstanding community service

 

For more information or a detailed listing of the events of the 43^rd Annual Irish Celebration please contact Bettye or Bobby McKinnon at (931) 289-4631.

 

List of Events:

 

 

The Tiny Prince and Princess Pageant is for children up to the age of six. The pageant will take place at the Houston County High School Forum and is sponsored by the Houston County Recreation Club. For more information about the pageant please contact Kristi Dew at (931) 289-4309 or Tiffany Spurgeon at (931) 289-5413.

 

 

The Leprechaun Parade starts at the Erin Nazarene Church at 11 a.m. Prizes include Toys "R" Us gift certificates, which are donated by Traditions First Bank. The parade is sponsored by the Houston County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the parade please contact Dana Miller at (931) 289-5500.

 

 

The Grand Parade starts at Houston County Middle School at 11 a.m. The parade is sponsored by the Houston County Chamber of Commerce and plaques are awarded for the parade's best float as well as first, second and third place. For more information please contact Diane Lynch at (931) 721-3100.

 

After the parade concludes, the crafters, food booths, Civil War re-enactors and all displays will be on the square and in the park for the rest of the afternoon.