This is the time of year that we all are waiting on to begin; the trees are budding out and the birds are singing, yes it is the beginning of the Saint Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, Ga. You cannot live in Dublin Georgia without celebrating the Irish Holiday. The green grits are cooking, the green pancakes are stacked and green bows are up. We are ready to dance an Irish jig and eat the goodies at the Arts and Crafts Festival.
We start off with a golf tournament, then a fun run/walk and end with a bike ride, all in good fun for charity. The balloons come in at the Southern Pines Recreation Park; everyone goes to see them being inflated, take rides in them and then watch them light up the night with a beautiful glow. The next day they float off into the sky with grace and beauty until their return next year.
All the young girls dress up in their gowns for the local pageants from two to twenty something anticipating the honor of representing Dublin and riding in the parade. Little smiling leprechauns running around from the local schools and shamrocks painted down Main Street. Everyone is wearing green and enjoying good times.
The parade provides a look at the friendly faces of the local politicians, high school bands marching proudly and brightly decorated floats with candy throwing patrons advertising their businesses. The antique cars, the hotrods and the showoffs all come to the festival for people to view and hear the roar of their prized possessions. While there you can look at the beautiful arts and crafts made by vendors far and wide. Get a hold of some good Georgia BBQ and a delicious fruit smoothie. The country, rock and Christian vocalists sing us tunes on the grand stage with various groups clogging and dancing to the music.
You can get a taste of Irish stew at the local Presbyterian Church and even attend a gospel concert in the theater downtown. Hang around to Sunday after church and you get your fill at the Main Street Munchies which brings life to downtown while restaurants show off the local cuisine. Your mail at the Dublin Post office can be stamped officially with the St. Patrick’s emblem for everyone to see your pride of where you live.
Yes it happens every year; rain or shine; and you know the residents of Laurens County all come out to celebrate the annual Dublin-Laurens St. Patrick’s’ Festival. It’s been going on for 46 years with no plan to stop anytime soon. Erin Go Baugh!
-Amelia P Sumner
