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dublin
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Festival Fun
26
In2013, thechancesweregood that if aneventwas attractingvisitors – itwashappening in
Dublin, a“WorldFestival andEventCity.”
TheCityhosteda seriesof events startingwith theSt. Patrick’sDay“AGreenest, Grandest Parade”
onSaturdayMarch16, under the leadofGrandLeprechaunCapClegg. Theparadehadanestimated
attendanceof 23,000 - exceeding2012attendance. Theparadehadmore than100units including
giant helium shamrockballoons, pipeanddrumbands andequestriangroups.
IndependenceDay startedwithaparadeunder thedirectionofGrandMarshals, formerDublinMayor
MikeCloseandhiswife, ChrisClose. Thedaywas themed“ColorMyWorld…
Red,WhiteandBlue”–aplayon thehit single from thebandChicago,who
entertained thecrowdof approximately25,000people. Fireworks capped the
daywitha simulcast onSunny95.
A“WorldofMusic”came toDublin’s IrishFestival resulting in recordbreaking
attendanceofmore than104,000guests. Dublin’sglobal perspectivewas
showcasedon seven stages inCoffmanParkAug. 2–4asdancers and
musicians from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Spainand theU.S. performed their
magic. Theevent boastedaneconomic impact of $8.3millionunder the
leadershipofHonoraryChair FrankSlavikofTimHortons. Guests alsodonated
more than seven tonsof foodand$10,300 to theDublinFoodPantry.
Finally, 6,000communitymembers came together onOct. 14 for
Spooktacular. Theevent hadbeen recognizedearlier in theyear by
the International Special Events Societyas a statewide“Best Public
Event.”The familyeventwasheldwithvolunteers SueSwyt andBill
Marekas the4thAnnual Spooktacular KingandQueen.More than
30communityorganizations and small businessesparticipated in
TrunkorTreat.
“Wonderful concerts,
events, andworldwide
recognitionof
MuirfieldVillage…
Dublinhas it all!”
-Sarah
