Killarney Guide

Huge number of patrons fill the Shamrock Centre and parking lot

BY KIM LANGEN

Killarney’s party for the patron saint of Ireland was one big celebration, after upwards of 1,000 people attended the popular event on the Saturday of St. Paddy’s weekend.

“We had a packed hall to see the McConnell Irish Dancers from Winnipeg, and the fiddlers, which included teacher Marla Winters and eight of her students,” said April Archambault, organizer and recreation director at the Shamrock Centre. “They included some Irish tunes. And also in the hall were two bouncy castles, and they were really busy too. The parking lot was packed, and people were parking on the street.”

Archambault said it was likely one of the biggest attendance numbers ever for an event held at the centre. The lively three-day Killarney Men’s and Ladies’ St. Pat’s Bonspiel, which also ran the same day at the Shamrock’s TLA Curling Rink, simply added to the number.

“We think it might be in the thousands,” she said. “It was a record weekend in this building; the closest comparison would have been the Scotties. We served up 100 servings of Irish stew and a fresh biscuits, and people said it was delicious. We served 175 lunches of hot dogs and a drink. We had three one-gallon pails full of green ice cream, donated by the Beach Hut, and we ran out early. The Shamrock Drive-In donated four giant bags of popcorn, and we ran out. Two hundred and fifty cookies were decorated, and we ran out. And over at the bonspiel, the bar went dry every day.”

The community arts project, coordinated with the Killarney Arts Council, was also a success, she added.

“It was a collaborative mosaic, and it is still on-going,” said Archambault. “A lot of people participated – a lot of kids, and adults. Each person was given a small, 2’’x 2’’ re-purposed mosaic tile, a neutral white or beige colour, and participants coloured their own tile. When this project is completed, it will be displayed outside somewhere in the community, and probably by the end of the summer.”

Nearly 60 people attended the Funtime Pottery workshop with Millie McKenna of Brandon, she said.

“Millie was so excited to be taking part in something this big,” said Archambault. “She didn’t expect it to be so busy. There were 59 participants for the pottery workshop – it was a lot! The individual projects will be fired and glazed in Brandon, and will be back here soon.”

And a number of people just popped in to help out, she added, because they could see how incredibly busy the event was. Plus Joanne Pettypiece was very touched by the presentation of a gift of a beautiful bouquet for her many years of organizing the St. Pat’s for Kids, said Archambault.

Owner of the McConnell Irish Dancers from Winnipeg (who are returning on March 31 for dance workshops) was also impressed, she said.

“She was just touched by the community effort, and how much people enjoyed the day,” said Archambault. “Overall we had more adults, and that was what we wanted. It was a lot of work and organizing, but it makes it all worthwhile to see all the happy faces.”

IRISH DANCERS ENTERTAIN – Winnipeg’s McConnell Irish Dancers entertained the massive crowd with their amazing dancing on Saturday afternoon, and even got the wee ones involved at the end of their show (above). The McConnell Irish Dancers will be returning to the Shamrock Centre during spring break to lead some Irish Dance Workshops for kids on Thursday, March 31.

SAYING IT WITH FLOWERS – During the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Mayor Merv Tweed (left) presented a gorgeous bouquet of tribute flowers to Joanne Pettypiece, who organized the highly popular St. Pat’s for Kids for years.

Mrs. and Mr. Leprechaun, Anne and Joe Lyons.

Bouncy castle fun kept the kids hopping all day.

Cookie decorating – and eating – making tongues look Irish.

Fire truck rides around town were a big hit.

HAPPY TIMES AT ST. PAT’S – Above, a young lad enjoys a green ice cream cone in his stroller; while below, some festive fiddling fun on the Shamrock stage.

IRISH FISHING – Behind the scenes at the Irish fishing pond, with loads of prizers ready to be snagged.