This year, a committee was formed to plan an Irish Heritage Celebration for Tyrone during the week of March 10-17. Organizers hope it will be the beginning of an annual event, that will continue to grow.
Individuals are encouraged to get things started at their own homes or businesses with display flags, which are available for $20. Contact the Chamber office for more information.
The festivities will kick off Tuesday, March 13 with the Luck of the Irish parade in downtown Tyrone.
The parade, which is set to begin at 6:30 p.m., is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tyrone. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. Show some hometown Irish pride – dress in costume, march as a group or family or just come out to watch and enjoy the festivities.
Prizes will be awarded. Parade participants will line up at 6 p.m. at the corner of Lincoln Ave. and 16th Street.
Anyone with questions can contact the Tyrone Chamber office at 684-0736 or Jennifer Bryan (Parade Chairperson) at 684-4306 or 949-7621.
On Wednesday, March 14, a youth elementary dance is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at Joshua House for students in first through fifth grades. The cost for admission is $3.
There will also be a baked goods sale themed around St. Patrick’s Day, with items such as green shamrock cookies and mint hot cocoa. A raffle prize drawing will be held as well as and Irish dance performance. Participants will even have the opportunity to learn a few steps too.
On Thursday, March 15, everyone is invited to the Armory to enjoy an Irish meal, sponsored by the Tyrone Community Partnership. The meal will be served between 5 and 7 p.m. and costs $8 in advance and $9 at the door. Children’s tickets are available for $4 in advance and $5 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Tyrone Chamber office, Alice’s Garden and G&P Dollar Stretcher.
The Tyrone Area High School chorus department and POPS Extension will provide entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. Afterwards, Dance Fusion will perform Irish dancing and also take some time to teach a few different jigs to those in attendance.
Keith Beisel will also provide entertainment as he plays the bag pipes.
The Tyrone Community Players will perform “Crimes of the Heart” at Wesley United Methodist Church beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17.
With Saturday, March 17 marking St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is invited to celebrate by coming out and joining in the various activities planned throughout the day.
A community indoor yard sale will be held at the Armory from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be extra coloring pages available for The Daily Herald’s coloring contest.
Also, the FBLA Club will provide Irish face painting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for 50 cents.
Individuals can also take this opportunity to check out the new Faces and Places Ministries facility, located on Logan Avenue, behind Radio Shack.
The group will be performing “Irish Eyes” at 2 p.m. with light tea and refreshments starting at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. Seating is limited so be sure to get tickets early. They can be purchased by contacting Drew Baker at 932-4085 or at G&P Dollar Stretcher.
The Tyrone-Snyder Public Library will hold children’s story hour from 1 to 2 p.m. at the library. The FBLA Club will move it’s face painting operation to the library from 2 to 5 p.m. The library will also host an indoor yard sale in its community room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, the Tyrone History Museum will be open March 17 and 18 and will feature a collection of Celtic crosses, provided for display by Alice Mulhollan. There will also be a collection of items from Omagh County Tyrone in Northern Ireland which was collected with an exchange from Rotary Club of Tyrone. There will also be a display of 1936 flood souvenirs from the 1936 Tyrone St. Patrick’s Day flood (AKA Irish Flats, including handouts and information.
And no St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without food and beverages. There will be no lack of choices in that area on Saturday. The Bull Pen will host a big celebration with Flight 19 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. And, no St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without green beer.
For those who would rather sit down for chicken, the Tyrone Masonic Lodge will host a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the lodge for tickets.
And finally, there will be a buffet dinner at the Hookies Fire Club from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for $8. A dance will follow at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, March 18, a community Irish heritage service will be held at 7 p.m. at the Tyrone Area High School auditorium with entertainment by POPS Extension, Allegheny Chorale, Rachael Eardly (Celtic harp selection) and Keith Beisel (bag pipes). Rev. Norman Huff will be Master of Ceremonies and Father Joseph T. Orr will be the speaker.
And, for the young adults, Joshua House will host a St. Patrick’s Day party for teens from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with dancing, food, activities and entertainment.
There will also be many sales throughout the week at several Tyrone businesses. Watch for special discounts on Friday, March 16 at places such as Alice’s Garden, Cowfer’s Custom Design, Mobile Inks and Toners, Rhonda’s Retreat, Wendy’s Joybeans, Patrice’s Boutique, Radio Shack and Scents of Life.
So, come on out next week and take advantage of the many activities offered as Tyrone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day.
