Clare celebrates with Irish festival

Erin Hillard

Traditional Irish music could be heard through the streets of Clare this weekend as the city celebrates its 33rd Annual Irish Festival.
The festival, held the week of St. Patrick’s Day every year, began Monday, March 10, and ended Saturday, March 15.
Clare was named after a county in Ireland with the same name, and the celebrations honor this connection.
Throughout the week, several events were held, including an Irish recipe contest, a parade, and several fish fries.
Many businesses in Clare get involved in the celebration, including Bob’s Lounge, a small bar which held a fish fry and Reuben sandwich special on Friday.
People came from all over to partake in the events, bringing a lot of business to the local shops.
“We came here this morning and we’ve already done some shopping and we’ve walked the downtown strip,” said Peggy McMillan, who came to the festival for the first time this year.
She reserved a room at the Doherty Hotel with her sister, Sharon Clark.
“I figure this festival has to be good because we had to book the hotel months in advance,” Clark said.
The sisters were looking forward to several activities, including the parade and the craft show, held at the Clare Primary School.
Clark and McMillan said they enjoyed the festival so much they planned on making it a yearly tradition.
“We’re already thinking about reserving a room for next year,” McMillan said.

Edited by Mariah Richards and John Morelli