Gaffney's Irishfest 2008 parade scheduled for Saturday, March 15
Entrants will compete to be King of Leprechauns

The Saturday festivities of Irishfest 2008 in downtown Gaffney begin at 9:30am Saturday, March 15 with the Irishfest 2008 parade, coordinated this year by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Entrants are free to compete for the highly coveted grand prize - "Finnegan, the King of the Leprechauns." "Finnegan" will be handed down year after year to the grand prize parade winner.

Examples of previous parade entries include a bedpan brigade, a kazoo band, an entourage of wee leprechauns, a briefcase brigade, peach juggling, trash can lid percussion band and roller skating formations.

The only caveat is that no motorized vehicles may participate. Golf carts are permissible for those who may not be physically able to walk, bike, ride a tricycle or roll a hulahoop along the parade route.

Line-up begins on Railroad Avenue between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. and move down North Limestone Street before concluding at the Michael Gaffney cabin.

Entry forms may be picked up at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce located at 225 South Limestone Street and the City of Gaffney Visitor's Center at 301 N. Limestone Street. Entry forms must be submitted to the Visitor's Center or Chamber Office by 12 noon, Friday, March 14. This is a family oriented event and the City of Gaffney reserves the right to determine parade entries as such.

There is no parade entry fee. In case of rain the parade will be cancelled; other events will take place at the Capri Theatre.

For more information about the Irishfest 2008 parade, please contact Pat Blumer at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 489-5721, or Pat Throneburg at the City of Gaffney Visitor's Center at 487-6244.

Irishfest 2008 promises to be a whimsical weekend with seriousness and stress thrown to the wind. No frowns allowed. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m., Friday, March 14, in front of the Michael Gaffney Log Home with live music by "Mulligan's Banned," hot food and cool beverages. Following the Irishfest 2008 parade, everyone will be treated to more music, Irish step dancing, games, face painting, and many other fun activities for all ages.