St. Pat’s Fest is the school’s biggest event fundraiser, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars annually, he said. “We are going to have the event go on as planned, we hope,” Franz said. “We certainly understand if people feel it is in their best interest to stay home.”
ORIGINAL REPORT (March 10, 2020) — 5 reasons to kick off St. Patrick’s Day at ‘new’ ‘old’ festival
The fish and fries will hit the fryer at one Dayton-area school for the 35th year in a row during an event that changed in a big way five years ago.
Carroll High School’s traditional fish fry is set for Friday, March 13, and will be followed on Saturday, March 14, by a carnival–style family fun day.
>> FISH FRY GUIDE: The best places to get deep-fried, crispy, delicious fish in Dayton
Here are 5 things to know about the festival now known as St. Pat’s Fest:
1. 🍀 IT IS A NEW AND OLD TRADITION
Started by the Carroll High School Alumni Association in 1985 as a one-day event, the school’s largest fundraiser now attracts about 2,500 people a year to the school located at 4524 Linden Ave., Dayton.
It has grown and grown over the years.
“Five years ago, we had an idea to have a kick-off to St. Patrick’s Day week, said Michael Franz, the school’s communications director and a 2005 alum, about the St. Pat’s Fest.
>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE (March 6, 2016): Reasons you should go to Carroll's new St. Pat's Fest
Friday night is age 21 and over only and will feature all-you-can eat fried or baked Icelandic Cod, red beans & rice, fries, cole slaw, pretzels, chips, popcorn, a silent auction, raffle items, live entertainment and a list of games that includes blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em, Showdown
Saturday night is open to all ages and will include a list of Irish favorites such as corned beef, Irish stew and funnel cakes and other fair food.
Admission is free, and there will be a carnival and giant games Trivia with a Twist, a 4:30 p.m. Mass, music and blackjack, showdown, Irish Mug Slide, Beat the Dealer, Crazy Ball and Chuck O'Luck.
“There will be Jello shots, Irish coffee with Bailey’s or Jameson whiskey and an expanded selection of White Claw flavors.
“This is the first year we will have Guinness,” Franz said, nothing that other Irish beer will be available as well.
2.🍀 The BAND 5 AND FOUR OTHER ACTS TO WATCH
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Submitted
☘️The band Wildcat Road with 1989 Carroll grad Rocky Twarek will play in the heated tent in the school's parking lot from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday.
☘️ Jameson's Folly featuring Carroll parent Michele Monigan on fiddle and 2009 Carroll grad Mary (Mykytka) Snapp on vocals will take the stage from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday on the main stage set up in the school's gym.
☘️ Saturday's jam-packed entertainment schedule includes the Miami Valley Pies and Drums on the gym stage from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and the Dayton-based Dulahan Irish Band on the stage from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
☘️ The rock, roots, pop and country cover group The Band 5 will perform in the auxiliary gym from 6:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Saturday.
3.🍀 FIVE VACATION PACKAGES
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Submitted
There will be more than 100 silent auction items up for grabs including these five vacation packages:
☘️ Five-night stay at a private four bedroom, four bathroom cottage in Greenbrier, W.Va.
☘️ One-night deluxe room at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
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☘️ A week-long stay at the Tradewinds’ Tropical View Hotel in St. Pete Beach, Fla
☘️ A two-day stay at the Orlando World Center Marriott
☘️ One-night stay and breakfast for two at Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
4. 🍀 $5 IN SAVINGS
☘️ Order your tickets in advance for the traditional, all-you-can-eat fish fry and save $5 off the door price of $20.
5. 🍀 FIVE IRISH DANCE TROUPES PLUS ONE
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Submitted
Franz says Dayton’s newest Irish dance school, Gem City School of Irish Dance, will make its debut at St. Pat’s Fest from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday on the main gym stage.
Celtic Academy of Irish Dance; Richens-Timm Academy, McGovern Irish Dance, Dwyer School of Irish Dance and Nugent School of Irish Dance will also perform.
WANT TO GO?
What: St. Pat's Fest Fish Fry and Fun Day
Where: Carroll High School., 4524 Linden Ave., Dayton
When: Fish fry Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday festival from noon to 11 p.m.
Cost: Admission to the all-you-can-eat fish fry is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Admission to the Saturday festival is free.
More: 937-253-8188 | carrollhs.org/stpatsfest/| Facebook
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