While St. Patrick’s Day passed earlier this week, the sounds of Celtic tunes and variations of green being worn by those visiting Limestone Street might have some thinking otherwise.

Paying homage to Michael Gaffney — the founder of the City of Gaffney and for whom the town is named —and his Irish heritage, the annual Irishfest event will be held tonight from 6-9 p.m.

“This is an event geared toward the entire family, paying honor to the city’s founder, Michael Gaffney, celebrating his and the city’s Irish heritage and celebrating the St. Patrick’s Day holiday,” said Gloria Allen of the Gaffney Visitors Center. “This event is a big deal every year, so we’re definitely hoping for the best.”

Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with the city’s visitors center joining forces with the Cherokee Alliance of Visual Artists (CAVA) doing silhouette photos and face painting on Limestone Street. Also, the Gaffney Visitors Center and CAVA art gallery are giving those in attendance the opportunity to decorate their own “Blarney Stone” — a stone said to bring good luck — which once completed can be taken home with them.

CAVA vice president Fred Knowles will present a live art demonstration, in addition to the organization allowing those choosing to do so to help paint two large canvases which will be displayed inside the visitors center and Gaffney City Hall for the remainder of the month of March.

The event’s featured performers, the Charlotte-based band The Merrows, will take the stage in front of the Michael Gaffney cabin on Limestone Street at 6:30 p.m. Presenting a unique blend of Irish music and African drums, along with American folk and jazz themes, the band does a good job of translating their love of Celtic music and the tradition of the Irish to their audience, Allen said.

Last year, Irishfest organizers had to deal with cool temperatures and showers that persisted throughout the event. Allen said everyone downtown is keeping their fingers crossed, hoping for clear skies as well as a good turnout.

“Last year we had to deal with inclement weather, which likely kept a lot of people inside,” Allen said. “This year, we may have clear skies but Irishfest is being held at the same time as Impact Weekend, which is a big deal around here. All we can do is hope and pray, I guess.”

In the event of inclement weather, festivities will be moved indoors to the Gaffney Visitors Center. For more information, call the visitors center at (864) 487- 6244.