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Shamrock City Irish Celebration and Festival: Chattanooga's Top Irish Themed Event

Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a great destination for your next big springtime excursion. From the stunning natural surroundings to the vibrant and booming cultural scene, there is something for everyone in the Chattanooga Metro Area. The city is home to more than 168,000 residents, making it the fourth largest city in Tennessee. During a citywide rejuvenation project in the 1990’s, Chattanooga set out to enrich the city for residents and visitors alike. When the improvements were completed, the city was left with a revamped downtown and riverfront area that has received national recognition for its beauty, planning and overall effect on the city.

 

Regardless of whether you're traveling with your family, friends or your special someone, you’ll encounter a plethora of fun things to do. Take a walk on over five miles of beautiful trails that line the waterfront or bike the extensive trail network that showcases the city. Outdoor lovers will also enjoy opportunities for golfing, fishing, exploring, skydiving and much more. The shops and restaurants are numerous, and you’ll certainly find something just for you. Only a six-mile jaunt south of the city, you’ll find the iconic natural attraction named Lookout Mountain. Here you’ll find the world famous “See Seven States” attraction and a series of fun events.  

 

One of the top events at Lookout Mountain, and in Chattanooga, is the Shamrock City Irish Celebration and Festival. For almost a decade this award winning event has been drawing thousands of participants from all over the area. This is an all ages celebration that has something for everyone. From the authentic Irish cuisine to the unique live entertainment, you’re in for the ultimate Irish experience outside of Ireland. Ensure that your next vacation has the luck of the Irish and something fun for everyone.  Head to the Shamrock City Irish Celebration and Festival! We got the opportunity to interview Meagan Jolley, Public Relations Manager for R & R Marketing, to talk about the festival.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

MJ: This is Rock City’s 9th annual Irish festival at Shamrock City. The festival was selected as a Top 20 Event by Southeast Tourism Society for March 2010 - 2013 and 2015. Over the years the festival has steadily gained popularity and this year we are expecting over 7,000 attendees throughout the duration of the event. Our unique St. Patrick’s Day event includes live Irish music, Irish jig lessons, Irish food, dance performances, costumed characters and much more! This is a celebration for all ages with something for everyone.

 

RAL: What makes the festival unique?

MJ: It is a full Irish festival in the mountains of Northern Georgia. We have turned everything green, from a waterfall to the Starbucks drinks and even our famous Rock City fudge. We are featuring a wide variety of Irish entertainment, most of which you won't find in many other locations or festivals. Also, new this year is our Suffolk Sheep Encounter – come hangout with live sheep! Kids will also receive a new passport activity book where they can collect stamps at each of our special events throughout the year (and parents: it also has coupons)!

 

RAL: Tell me about what attendees will find at the event?

MJ: New to the festival this year, we will have:

  • Suffolk Sheep Encounter by Bagby’s Critter Corral - Located outside of the “Pot of Gold” Pavilion, come meet, pet, and hang out with real live sheep at this year’s Shamrock City!

  • Plush Shamrock City Sheep - After meeting the sheep at the Suffolk Sheep Encounter, what better way to commemorate the experience than by taking home your very own plush version? They’re soft, loveable and even come with a special Shamrock City ribbon.

  • 2016 Kid’s Adventure Passport - New for 2016 is our Kid’s Adventure Passport! Kids receive their very own passport booklet upon entering the park on event days. The passport invites participants to find special offerings throughout the park, which are specific to each event.

 

We will have live music and entertainment that includes: Irish, Scottish, Celtic & Highlands Music. The performances are located in the Rock City “Pot of Gold” pavilion and take place daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

 

In addition to the activities listed above, we also have costumed characters, strolling musicians and entertainers, including balloon creations, a harpist and bagpipers, and an interactive mime. Kids will love panning for gold, the Kiss the Blarney Stone Climbing Wall and Lucky Makeovers face painting. It’s also fun to participate in Irish jig lessons and watch the fudge-making demos in the Fudge Kitchen! Speaking of yummy food, visit our Big Rock Grill for some fish and chips or mulligan stew in the pavilion.

 

RAL: What can people expect to find for local lodging?

MJ: There are many local options for all group sizes and budgets. There is a location nearby that I have personally stayed at several times, a B&B called Garden Walk Inn on Lookout Mountain, and it's conveniently located about a mile from Rock City. Each cottage has a different theme (like “Out of Africa” and “Enchanted April”) and the entire inn is very charming!

 

RAL: What does this event mean to the community?

MJ: It's a great way for people in the community to gather and have a great time. And the extra revenue brought to the community is welcomed by local businesses. We partner annually with the Chattanooga District Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to support their Shamrocks for Dystrophy program. We will be selling the MDA green shamrocks ($1) and gold shamrocks ($5) throughout the month of March.

 

RAL: Why should people come?

MJ: Rock City’s mission is to create memories worth repeating for our guests and our partners (the word we use for our employees). Rock City is a place that visitors return to, even decades later, because of the impactful memories they’ve made here. Shamrock City is just one creative, festive event that happens to be Irish-themed (where everyone is encouraged to sport their green attire). However, Rock City hosts many special events throughout the year, which gives you a great reason to buy an annual pass to come back for free anytime (less than the cost of two tickets).


For more information about Shamrock City Irish Celebration and Festival, please visit their website.