WORCESTER, Mass. – We’re a little more than a week away from the St. Patrick’s Parade here in Worcester, and some in the city got in the spirit at the annual Irish Festival.
The weather didn’t stop people from going out and having a good time. This year marks 39 years of the celebration, which took place at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. On top of your delicious Irish food and drink, like corned beef, cabbage, and Guinness. The day featured raffles, vendors selling all sorts of Irish novelties, and plenty of live music and dancing performances.
Organizers say they’re hoping to raise money for the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center, with a goal of more than $15,000, which they say goes towards the community and passing down Irish culture.
“It’s always a great turnout,” said the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation’s Sheila Gowaski. “We see lots of new faces. It’s a real special day for all of us here in the city. People come from, you know, outside of the city – all around the community, Central Mass. It just a great day to be Irish!”
“This is a great day,” said Stephen Belton, President of the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation. “All our old members come, they sit. People come and meet each other. All lot of times they see each other once a year here and they have a great time. The kids dance, they run around, run amok, but it’s a safe place for all of them to be here. And they get to see the great bands and the great music in our culture.”
Spectrum News 1 will have live coverage of the 2023 St. Patrick’s parade next Sunday. The parade steps off at noon, and our coverage will start shortly after.
