Posted by: thepinetree on 01/22/2014 12:07 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 01/22/2014 12:08 AM
Expires: 01/01/2019 12:00 AM
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Murphys Irish Day 2014 – Saturday, March 15. Dedicated Volunteers Make It Happen
Staffed by a dedicated bunch of talented volunteers, planning for the 2014 Murphys Irish Day celebration is well underway. Under the egis of the Murphys Business Association (MBA), the signature event will be held Saturday, March 15, the Saturday closest to St. Patrick’s Day. “This event, which means so much to our community, would not be possible without the hard work by a number of people who give of their time for many weeks to make sure Irish Day continues to be one of the most popular happening in the Mother Lode,” says MBA president Jim Heryford....
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, is heading up the effort assisted by Susan Machin, who was the woman-in-charge for several years.
Vendors, other than Murphys merchants, are restricted to those who sell hand made crafts, original art or photography, food, and other refreshments. 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.
MBA members, with a major assist from Leanne Smith, who has a real estate office in downtown Murphys, have the daunting task of soliciting Murphys Irish Day sponsors. Although the festivities are volunteer driven, it takes more than $20 thousand to put on the celebration. It is the generosity of the sponsors who see the benefit of supporting a very popular event that makes Irish Day a reality. Smith is sending out the first round of requests.
Gerry and Carrie Nelson for the second year are organizing the Murphys Irish Day parade. The couple is active in the Murphys Community Club and 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.
Patty Shultz, who with her husband Jan owns The Spice Tin, is spearheading 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.
Lucky King, owner of Bandera of California, has the responsibility for rounding up the many day-of-event volunteers. Jan Creager, CPA, is treasurer. Richard and Barbara Nauman, as is tradition, will be the “trash mavens,” recruiting their friends to help make sure that the Main Street area is pristine. She is co-owner of the Sierra Garden Center and he owns Calaveras Cash in Angels Camp.
Michelle Plotnik, who has been in charge of overall planning and coordination for many years, and Heryford will oversee the many facets that create Murphys Irish Day.
“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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