Business & Tech
Chamber Marks Halfway Point to St. Paddy's Day With Celtic Feis Fundraiser
First 'Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party' raises funds for the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.
hosted a Celtic Feis- a dancing, merry-making party in the Irish tradition- at Dublin Deck Saturday to fundraise for the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Half of the money collected at the door at the chamber's 'First Annual Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party' will go toward the 22nd Annual , which is to be held the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day.
A 50/50 raffle was also held that evening in the "Irish tradition" of 60/40, with the larger portion going toward the parade. The raffle took in more than $1,000 in total.
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High-energy bands King Keltic (formerly Fathom) and Cara Band invigorated those in attendance with Irish rock and unique interpretations of Irish classics. Many in the audience were even inspired to break into some adept Irish step dancing where much fancy footwork was displayed.
About 30 chamber members took part in the festivities, each of whom, along with one guest, were treated to a complimentary buffet of hearty Irish fare consisting of corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash and more.
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Mark Miller, one of the owners of Dublin Deck and the , is a member of the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber, and was also one of the grand marshals for the 20th Anniversary Parade.
Miller was elated to be able to do his part to support the chamber and all the work they do on behalf of the community.
Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce secretary and marketing coordinator for Lenore Ringer Prezioso,said the annual parade costs approximately $25,000.
"People think taxes pay for it, but it's all funded by local businesses and chamber members," she said. "With the economy, it's getting harder and harder."
Longtime employee at Dublin Deck and chamber member C.J. Minardi summed up the party as a "good way to end the summer."
, a candidate for District 5 Town Council was at the event. The lifelong Blue Point resident was thrilled to get a chance to celebrate his Irish heritage.
"I think this is going to become an annual event. It keeps the Irish culture going," Cavanaugh said. "We're all proud to be Irish. Thanks to Mark Miller, Frank Mills and Scotty Campbell, the three owners [of Dublin Deck]. They're all Irish."
