Music, food, spirits and a green fountain are on tap for this year’s Irish Fest.
(Independent Newsmedia file photo)
The Town of Fountain Hills will host the return of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations: Irish Fountain Fest on Saturday, March 15, and the Greening of the Fountain on the actual holiday, Monday, March 17.
“We invite Arizonans and out-of-state visitors to put on their green and join our town in shamROCKING the hills for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Ryan Preston, Fountain Hills Recreation Manager. “Irish Fountain Fest and the greening of the fountain are two of the most beloved events for our community. There’s nothing but good luck in Fountain Hills during these celebrations.”
To kick off the holiday celebrations, the town will host Irish Fountain Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Fountain Park (12925 N. Saguaro Blvd.). The event features a kid’s zone, traditional Irish folk music, a Celtic rock band, food trucks, the Crescent Crown Beer Garden and more.
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers starting at $5 for your first month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
SPECIAL EVENTS
Fountain Hills Irish Fest coming to Fountain Park
Greening of the Fountain
(Independent Newsmedia file photo)
Music, food, spirits and a green fountain are on tap for this year’s Irish Fest.
Posted
The Town of Fountain Hills will host the return of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations: Irish Fountain Fest on Saturday, March 15, and the Greening of the Fountain on the actual holiday, Monday, March 17.
“We invite Arizonans and out-of-state visitors to put on their green and join our town in shamROCKING the hills for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Ryan Preston, Fountain Hills Recreation Manager. “Irish Fountain Fest and the greening of the fountain are two of the most beloved events for our community. There’s nothing but good luck in Fountain Hills during these celebrations.”
To kick off the holiday celebrations, the town will host Irish Fountain Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Fountain Park (12925 N. Saguaro Blvd.). The event features a kid’s zone, traditional Irish folk music, a Celtic rock band, food trucks, the Crescent Crown Beer Garden and more.
The town’s world-famous fountain, which is the tallest in the United States and the third tallest in the world, will be transformed into a bright green, emerald geyser at noon and 4 p.m. Entrance to the event is free and open to families of all ages.
For those unable to attend Irish Fountain Fest, there’s another opportunity to see the town’s fountain turn green. On St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, the annual Greening of the Fountain will happen at noon.
The tradition started on the holiday in 1978 when a young homebuilder rode his horse into a local tavern to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and his heritage. After this entertaining public display, town members came up with a way to top the stunt in the form of a bet to turn the town’s fountain green and water ski around the fountain. Those who didn’t show up were out $250.
So, on St. Patrick’s Day 1979, with a large crowd watching from shore, the world-famous fountain in Fountain Hills was dyed green, and all the bettors skied around the fountain as planned, except for one. He couldn’t get up on the skis.
The show is free to attend and also viewable on the town’s webcam at experiencefountainhills.org/fountain.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here