Inaugural St. Patty’s Day Festival this Sat.

This Saturday Tyrone will be blanketed by a sea of green as residents and visitors don the color of the Irish in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

Tyrone’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Festival will kick off March 17 with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade traveling from Handley Park down Senoia Road to Triangle Park at 10 a.m.

The parade, which is sponsored by Logistix Software, Ryan Academy of Irish Dancing, Cooper Wiring Devices, and Tavern on 74, will feature floats and golf carts vying for the top prize. Cash prizes of $250, $125, and $50 are being offered to the top three floats and $75, $40, and $20 for the top three golf cart entries.

CNN anchor Rick Sanchez will be a celebrity guest at the festivities which will continue after the parade at both Triangle Park and Shamrock Park until 3 p.m.

A Dog Costume Contest will be held at 11 a.m. in Triangle Park and will award prizes for Most Irish, Most Original, Cutest, Best Dressed and more. The park will be dedicated from 12-12:30 p.m. This dedication will honor and recognize the many contributors to this project. Along with state, county, and local dignitaries the community is invited to thank the many contributors that have made this park possible. Throughout the afternoon local musicians will also be playing under the gazebo at Triangle Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Over at Shamrock Park, attendees will be entertained by dancers from the Ryan Academy of Irish Dancing and performers from the Legacy Theatre. Food will be available for purchase including hamburgers, chili and drinks, and kids will have the chance to get their faces painted by Way of Life Community Church. At 1 p.m., attendees can participate in the cake walk.

Tyrone will also be hosting their own version of the Highland Games - The Tyrone Games, also at Shamrock Park. From 12-2 p.m. participants will partake in the Caber Toss, Egg Carry, Fire Log Toss, Hammer Throw, Heave Ho, Kilt Mile, Leprechaun Pond, Shamrock Toss, Shoot for the Noon, Toss the Sheaf, and many more. Don’t think that the Tyrone Games are for kids only either: there will be age categories for those 2-62.

The final event for the day will be a Scavenger Hunt at 2 p.m. It will begin at Shamrock Park and go around Shamrock Lake.

This community event will offer something for everyone. All activities will be held in downtown Tyrone at Shamrock and Triangle parks, and all events are free.

For more information or an application visit the website at www.tyrone.org or call 770-487-4694.

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