Paint the town green March 14-15
Doo Dah Parade, music and fun highlight festive event
It will be Easy Being Green Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, as the City of Gaffney celebrates its first Irishfest, an event that is sure to become an annual tradition honoring the Irish heritage of the city's founding father, Michael Gaffney, and the heritage of many community residents.

The City of Gaffney will host a free concert March 14 at 6 p.m in front of the Michael Gaffney cabin on North Limestone Street downtown. Mulligan's Banned will perform a variety of lively Irish and fun pub songs; there will be plenty of food and drinks. The free concert will be fun for all ages and will help get everyone in the mood for the Doo Dah Parade and other family entertainment the following day.

A variety of activities has been planned for March 15. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., everyone can don their most outrageous outfits and take part in the Doo Dah Parade. The Doo Dah Parade will begin on Railroad Avenue and proceed down north Limestone Street to the Michael Gaffney cabin, where other activities will take place.

Gaffney residents were decked out in their greenest - and silliest - St. Patrick's Day attire to celebrate the town's heritage in the 2005 Doo Dah Parade.

Two stages will be set up near the cabin. Entertaining will be the Grassy Pond Boys, Hot Duck Soup and "Doc" Bowman's band. Members of Rince na h'Eireann Irish Dance School of Charlotte will perform traditional Irish stepdance routines and there will be free inflatable games for children.

Other highlights include a "welcome speech" reading of a proclamation from the Mayor of the Town of Granard, Ireland, Chamber of Commerce by Gene Moorhead of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Henry L. Jolly will present awards to winners of the Doo Dah Parade.

Along with all the other fun and games, there will be arts and crafts vendors, and, of course, plenty of food and nonalcoholic beverages. Those wishing for a little green beer will have to look no further than many downtown Gaffney restaurants.

Contact the City of Gaffney Visitors Center, 864-487-6244, for more information about Irishfest. For information about the Doo Dah Parade or to register to participate, contact either the City of Gaffney Visitors Center or the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.