The 8th Annual 30a St Patrick’s Festival and Parade will take place on Saturday March 14th with an expanded festival timetable and first class entertainment. The largest St Patrick’s celebration in NW Florida takes place March 14th at Gulf Place at noon, and on Florida Scenic Highway 30a with the parade at 2pm. The event will entertain the kids with the “wee folk” area containing costume prizes for fairy princesses and pirates, along with “Pot O’ Gold” treasure hunts, face painting and much more.
Described as a “Mini Savannah” St Patrick’s event, The Beaches Of South Walton County Florida are attracting a different kind of snowbird this March 14th with a special tour visit by Ottawa based Celtic Band SEARSON. SEARSON has been described as “Fiddles on steroids” SEARSON has toured throughout Canada, the United States, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Switzerland and the Caribbean including playing with The Chieftains.
The high energy wont stop there, because Texas based Celtic Rock Band CLEGHORN will also return due to many requests by festival goers. If you mixed ZZ Top with The Hobbit soundtrack, it might sound something like CLEGHORN. Their music mixes original folk/rock songwriting with high energy Celtic fiddle and bagpipe tunes.
The top notch Celtic entertainment will also be on hand all day starting with Dismal Creek who will pay tribute to bluegrass roots with Irish jigs, reels and brilliant banjo picking double base riffs. Proceeds support breast cancer 501c Fore Her golf tournament and Alaqua Animal Refuge.
Ticket prices begin at – $10 for adults, kids are $5 each and VIP Whiskey/Beer tasting tickets are $35 each, available now at www.30afestival.com
The parade expects a record number of floats and parade entries, in all shapes and sizes. The parade begins at 2.00pm Saturday March 14th on Florida Scenic Highway 30a and heads 4 miles west, ending at Gulf Place, where the festivities continue. This year’s Grand Marshal is Catherine O’ Sullivan who hails from Cork Ireland.
“To see this event grow to a full blown parade and packed out festival is very satisfying,” said Paul Vizard, event founder. “The original goal was to help businesses promote themselves in the parade, which it does, now the festival has thousands attending, stimulating business at a quiet time of the year. I can’t be more delighted.”
The Best in Parade perpetual trophy is up for grabs for the best decorated cars trucks or floats. Festival goers can purchase commemorative T shirts, experience arts and crafts, including knitted jewelry and blacksmithing, wood carving, face painting, and of course a variety of food and drinks. A few sponsor spots, vendor table and tent spaces are still available, and businesses are encouraged to be a sponsor, details at www.30afestival.com
“Searson is an amazing live show, from their high energy, foot-stomping, driving music to their extraordinary step dancing. The audience was mesmerized! A pure joy to watch!”
~ Greg Ziesemer, Event Coordinator, RiverRoots Music Folk Arts Fest.
“The robust and pristine sound of Dylan Cleghorn’s fiddle is wrapped in heavy pop rock rhythms that approach anthemic intensity. John Cleghorn, adding his original songwriting, screaming guitar riffs and golden vocal melodies, reveals himself as a man who truly knows rock.”
Celtic Music News
Event Information
The 8th Annual 30a St Patrick’s Parade and Festival is the largest celebration in NW Florida of Ireland’s St. Patrick’s day. The parade commences on Scenic 30a March 14th 2pm and ends at Gulf Place, where Dismal Creek, Drake School of Irish Dance, Texas based Celtic Band “Cleghorn” and Canadian sensation SEARSON will perform.
For tickets and details visit http://www.30afestival.com
