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North Country Goes Green Irish Festival

March 15—17, 2024

Friday—Sunday
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Who Makes it Happen?

13

Executive Board Members

25

Different Committees

550+

Volunteers

4,500

Estimated Annual Attendance

More than just beer...

Our Mission Is to provide a weekend of fun, good food, quality entertainment, activities for all age groups, and a celebration of all things Irish. We plan to continue our practice of donating all profits to our Scholarship Program and community donations.

Scholarships

Starting out at four $1,000 scholarships per year, now six $2,000 scholarships are awarded to students in the tri-county area every year. (Plus: Pageant scholarships which are $1,500 to Miss Ireland and $1,000 to the Irish Princess.) We are pleased to announce that in 2021 we met the goal to grow the scholarship fund with the Northern New York Community Foundation and increase the number to a minimum of six $2,000 scholarships. Over $230,000 in scholarships have been awarded.

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Project Children

One of the many charities supported by the Irish Festival, and part of the reason for its founding, was Project Children. Project Children brought around 350 children over from war town Ireland to give them a reprieve from the violence in their own country. Project Children was an important part of the Irish Festivals focus until the programs conclusion in 2013.

Charities

Since the beginning of the Irish Festival, over $1,000,000 has been donated to local charities and scholarships. Some of the local charities that have received donations from the Irish Festival include:

  • DPAO
  • Children's Home of Jefferson County
  • Lewis County Opportunities
  • Wounded Warriors
  • AUSA
  • Fort Drum USO
  • CAPC
  • Watertown Urban Mission
  • Food Bank of CNY
  • Dollar Dinners
  • Michael J Cerroni Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Johnston School of Irish Dance
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Many other misc. charities
The Irish Festival takes pride in purchasing locally. Since its inception, the Festival has purchased over a million dollars in goods and services from local businesses.

The Irish Festival's Activities Include:

Flags

Flag raising ceremony. (Irish & American flags are raised together.)

Music

Irish themed musical entertainment throughout the weekend.

Pageant

Miss Ireland Pageant, began in 1986 and included scholarships beginning in 2005.

Children's Room

plus many other children's activities

Food

Irish Themed Food

Run

Shamrock Run, Began in 1989

Parade

Sunday Service

Special Sunday Service at St. Patrick's Church

Comedy Night

Cornhole

Tournament