Annual St. Patrick’s festival starts today in Henderson

Richard Brian

Stephen Snyder, 9, Hannah Courser, 11, and Rachel Snyder, 12, watch floats pass by during the 43rd annual Sons of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Water Street In Henderson.

By Erin Dostal

Thursday, March 11, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

St. Patrick's Day Parade 2009 in Henderson

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St. Patrick's Day Festival 2009

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Featuring Irish dancers and green beer, Henderson will host the 44th annual Sons of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival starting today. The free event runs through Sunday at the city's events plaza, 200 S. Water St.

“It’s a pretty large event,” city spokeswoman Nicole Johnson said. “Everybody’s Irish; everybody comes out...People love enjoying the atmosphere of St. Patrick’s Day.”

Last year about 50,000 people attended the event, and spent about $40,000 on beer, said Phil Flowers, executive director of the Sons of Erin, an Irish pride group.

This year’s festivities kick off at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Although admission is free, there is a charge for games, rides and food, Johnson said. Event organizers are offering a day pass for rides starting at $22 and a family pack of 22 tickets for $18.

Entertainment includes everything from original Irish dancing to Motown music, Flowers said. The variety is what makes the event a success, he said.

“It’s a holiday for Irish people, but when you talk about bringing people together, it makes a difference when you have a lot of everything,” Flowers said.

Part of the profits from the event will go to the St. Rose Foundation at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals.

The highlight of the festival is the parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Johnson said. More than 100 groups registered to participate in the parade, which will be on Water Street between Ocean Avenue and Victory Road in downtown Henderson.

The festival will also feature a classic car show from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The carnival will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Live entertainment will be featured from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.