Celebrating Irish culture in NNY

As surely as the snow subsides and spring draws nigh, the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival has returned to Watertown this weekend.

The Watertown Irish festival, now in its 25th year, has proved to be a north country success story.

It is a wonderful celebration of Irish culture where festival goers can experience a variety of Irish music, dance, children's activities and more. There is plenty of food and drink, shopping for Irish items, a beauty pageant, a Shamrock run, a parade and a special Mass at St. Patrick's Church.

The festival has been a fundraiser for Project Children North, for many years bringing Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland to the north country in visits dedicated to promoting peace and friendship.

The Irish Fest has grown into an annual spring rite that attracts at least 12,000 people, raises thousands of dollars and supports numerous community groups.

This year's festival officially opened Friday afternoon, but actually began Thursday night with a rousing concert of Irish folk songs by the Dublin City Ramblers. The festival continues through Sunday at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown.

Congratulations to all those who work hard to bring this celebration of all things Irish to the community.