Tyrone’s Irish Heritage Festival set for March 16-18

By Rebecca Fry

The 6th annual Tyrone Irish Heritage Festival was set for March 16th through March 18th. Alice Mulhollan from Alice’s Garden said that Tyrone holds the Irish Festival because “Tir Eoghin is the Gaelic for Tyrone,” and “Tyrone is named for county Tyrone.”

Starting at 6 P.M on March 16th was the official lighting of Shamrock at City Hotel Park across from Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Celtic Martin band at City Park played and a Family Fun Night was held at the Tyrone Snyder Public Library from 7-9 P.M. Mulhollan got the Celtic Martin band to play because they are a great family that has many talents. She found them on the internet while trying to research good Celtic bands.

The DJ Big Dog Wiser was at Hookies from 9 P.M.-1 A.M.

On Saturday March 17th, the street festival was held from 10 A.M.-4 P.M.; 5K and 10K races at 11 A.M. There was both Irish and fair food offered at that festival. There was more than 45 vendors at the street festival.

Flight 19, a local rock n’ roll band, performed at the Bull Pen at 10 P.M.

On Sunday March 18th 7 P.M., the Irish Heritage Spiritual Service was held at the First Presbyterian Church. Richard Marryman played both the piano and the organ. Gregg Bradt and Debbit Estrite sang “The Prayer”. Bradt then sang “You Raise Me Up” as a solo. Aden Wertz from The Church of the Good Shepherd was the speaker. The 46 Pennsylvania Regiment Band played while playing period instruments. Tyrone high school’s Pops Extension and chorus, and Alleghany Choral performed towards at the end of the service.

Madison Stauffer, 12th grade choir member performed at the Spiritual Service, said that she is “excited to perform because she has never been to the Irish Heritage Festival before.” She went on to say that her favorite song to sing is “Kerry Dance because I like the tune of it.”

Unlike other years at the Irish Heritage Festival, the committee sponsored a trip for Ireland which will be held sometime in April. They also have added more decorations “to keep making this festival bigger and better,” said Mulhollan. And, like last year, they will begin the festival with fireworks.

Ms. Barlett said, “My cousin, Alice Mulhollan from Alice’s Garden, is hosting the trip. I’ll be attending along with my parents, Mrs. Cannistraci’s parents, [Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer], Jeff Long family, [Mr. and Mrs. Scordo], Donna Mcfarland, [and many others will be attending].”