Murphys, CA…Planning is underway for the ever-popular Murphys Irish Day that will take place on St. Patrick’s Day eve, Saturday, March 16. 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.

Among the first orders of business are the securing of vendors that line historic Main Street and the creation of the crowd pleasing Irish Day Parade.

Vendors
Once again the responsibility for securing the vendors is under the aegis of the Murphys Firefighters Association with Shelly Klein 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 Klein. “We already have many 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 Klein at (530) 515-2553. The email address is murphysirishday@gmail.com.

Parade
A major focus of the event planners is the creation of the Irish Day Parade that will wend its way down Main St. to the swirl of bagpipes starting promptly at 11 a.m. Recognized as one of the premiere parades in the Mother Lode, it always presents a wide array Irish-themed floats, marching bands, youth groups, community organizations, classic cars and other motorized vehicles. Local fire departments and law enforcement are well represented and there is bound to be a leprechaun or two.

“We are pleased that so many crowd pleasing entries return year after year,” say Carrie Nelson, who along with her husband Gerry are parade organizers. “But we are always looking for new participants who will make the parade even better.”

High on the list of desired entries are ones featuring music and those that pay homage to Murphys Irish heritage. Commercial entries are limited to major financial sponsors of Irish Day.

Any groups or individuals who would like to be considered for inclusion in the 2019 parade should visit the MBA’s website, visitmurphys.com, download an application and read the list of rules and procedures.

“Because of the size of the parade formation area, we are limited to the number of participants we can handle,” states Nelson. “So we may not be able to accept everyone who would like to enter.”

Entertainment for All
Throughout the day there will be free entertainment to please all members of the family. Michelle Plotnik, who chairs Irish Day for the MBA, is lining up a full range of performers in harmony with the Irish theme.
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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