Murphys, CA…The ever-popular Murphys Irish Day will take on additional significance when the celebration occurs on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17. This will not happen again until 2029. Through the years, the event has grown to become one of the Mother Lode’s most successful festivals, attracting thousands of local residents and visitors. It is always staged on the third Saturday in March and is a presentation of the Murphys Business Association. Proceeds fund the many activities of the association as well as community projects and enhancements.

Once again the responsibility for securing the vendors that line historic Main Street is under the aegis of the Murphys Firefighters Association with Kristin Kovacs as the contact person. The money received from booth rentals is divided between the Murphys Firefighters Association and the Murphys Business Association.

In addition to the regular Murphys merchants, many of which will have booths in front of their establishments, the event will feature vendors from throughout northern California. These exhibitors must produce their own handcrafted items; no factory-produced items will be accepted. Only original art and photography will be on sale. Other vendors will be selling a variety of foods and beverages.

“Many of our vendors come year after year because Irish Day is so well attended,” says Kovacs. “We already have more than one hundred signed up but we are always looking for new and unique craftsmen who want to sell their wares to our visitors.”

Anyone wishing to be a vendor should not tarry since space is limited. Applications and full instructions can be obtained online at visitmurphys.com or by calling Kovacs at (209) 768-9133. The email address is murphysirishday@gmail.com.

Murphys Irish Day will begin with a hearty pancake breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church. The Main St. festivities featuring music, dancing, and other entertainment will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. At 11 a.m. the aways popular parade will make its way down Main Street. There is no admission charge and free parking and shuttle service will be available at Ironstone Vineyards.

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