Posted by: thepinetree on 01/29/2013 01:10 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 01/29/2013 01:17 AM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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Planning Well Underway for Murphys Irish Day 2013 – Saturday, March 16
Murphys, CA...With an influx of new volunteers taking on major responsibilities, planning for the 2013 Murphys Irish Day celebration is well underway. Under the egis of the Murphys Business Association (MBA), the signature event will be held Saturday, March 16, often referred to as St. Patrick’s Day eve...
“Last year we told the world that the future of this popular festival was in peril if we didn’t find people willing to chair various Irish Day elements,” says MBA president Jim Heryford. “Fortunately, several community minded people have stepped up and everything is a ‘go’”
Michelle Plotnik, who has been in charge of overall planning and coordination for many years, is pleased that Colleen Dolan will be on hand to help with an eye to becoming the coordinator next year. Dolan, a Murphys resident, is the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program’s programs coordinator.
The Murphys Volunteer Fire Department is, once again handling the challenge of securing and overseeing the hundred-plus vendors who will line Main Street. Kristen Kovacs, wife of Fire Chief Steve Kovacs, has agreed to head up the effort. Susan Machin, who has been the woman-in-charge for several years, will assist her. Applications for booth space are flowing in and a full house is expected. Interested vendors can call 728-3864 to see if space is available.
Gerry and Carrie Nelson have picked up the reins and will put together this year’s Murphys Irish Day parade. He is the co-president of the Murphys Community Club and she is the former executive director of the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance. Invitations have already been sent to previous parade participants asking them to join the line of march. Other individuals or organization that would like to be considered for inclusion in the parade should contact the Nelsons at 728-2304. JoAnna and Bob Reagan, who shepherded the parade for ten years, will be available to help where needed.
Leanne Smith, Century 21 realtor and owner of the On A Whim gift shop in Murphys, has assumed the awesome task of soliciting Murphys Irish Day sponsors. It is the generosity of the sponsors, who see the benefit of supporting a very popular event, that makes Irish Day a reality. Smith has sent out the first round of requests and reports that commitments are arriving daily. Sue Friedman, Murphys Community Club co-president did a yeoman job getting sponsors in years past.
Jenny Baxter, of Jenny’s Kitchen fame and owner of Yogurt Your Way in Murphys, has signed on to help the Spice Tin’s Patty Shultz to organize and promote the Win a Trip to Ireland raffle. In addition to the grand prize, there will be three enticing vacation packages. Raffle tickets are five dollars each, or five for $20. They will be available soon at a number of locations.
In addition to the new people helping to organize Murphys Irish Day, event celebration veterans are continuing to serve. Among them are Lucky King, who is rounding up day-of-event volunteers, Michelle Plotnik, who is arranging for the entertainment, Jan Creager, who is treasurer, and Bob Reagan who is the media contact. Last, and certainly not least, Richard and Barbara Nauman, as is tradition, will be the “trash mavens,” making sure that the Main Street area is pristine.
“It takes a lot of good people, doing important work, to make Murphys Irish Day the success it has become,” states Heryford. “We are fortunate to have such a good crew.”
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