Grit & Glitter: Church Hill Irish Festival 2014

This year, annual Church Hill Irish Festival took place on March 22^nd and 23^rd within the blocks from 24^th to 27^th St. on E. Broad St. (and spreading out into the side streets between). Sponsored in part by Guinness & Harpe Beer and Loveland Distributing, it included everything from Irish dancing to parades to family fun (like bounce houses and arts n crafts) to 30 Irish food and beer vendors. Everything a good Irish celebration should have! Performers included Kent South, Cary Street Ramblers, Big Boss Combo, The Irish Dancers, Cook Country Bluegrass and many more. Food was provided by Richmond staples like Proper Pie Co., Alamo BBQ, and more traditional Irish food from the Ladies of St. Patrick’s (“Irish Lasagna”) and Rare Olde Times Irish Pub (“Fish and Chips”).

Dishonoring my Irish roots. I LOVE ALAMO BBQ (and Deeprun Roadhouse)

The festival’s proceeds benefit the St. Baldrick’s Society, the Church Hill Association, the Church Hill Crime Watch, Richmond Hill, Child Saver’s Clinic of Richmond, St. John’s Church, the St. Peter’s Meals Program, Stone’s Circle of Friends and more! Look at all the great organizations being helped by a bunch of us just giving a $5 donation to hang out, drink, eat, and enjoy entertainment J

For the 2^nd year in a row I volunteered with LINC(Legal Information Network for Cancer) to work in the children’s area. It was quite an experience this year. If I have time, I’ll definitely have to share a few stories about that.

My only regret this year was not getting a delicious donut from Mrs. Yoder’s! But here are some pics from my awesome experience on the Church Hill Irish Festival of 2014.