Libby Irish Fair celebrating 20 years of heritage
<p>James Hunter, left, and Rick Rubin of Floating Crowbar during Libby's 17th Annual Irish Fair.</p>
The Libby Irish Fair will be celebrating its 20th anniversary when the party starts on March 7 at the Libby Memorial Events Center.
The fair was started by Libby resident David Latham in 1994, but was on the verge of dying four years ago. Four local women made the decision to donate their time and energy to keep the festival alive. RaeAnne Canavan, Debbie Frey, Eileen Carney and Kate Huntsberger have been planning and operating the event ever since.
The Irish Fair, which is sponsored by the Libby chapter of the Kiwanis Club, is a one-day craft, food and music festival highlighting the culture and music of Ireland, a culture to which many local residents have deep familial ties.
Board member Kate Huntsberger describes the event as a “nice, fun day. It’s a great way to kick off spring.”
RaeAnne Canavan, who also serves on the board, said she was motivated by her own family heritage, being a second generation American from an Irish family. “It was a booming success back in the day,” she said. “I just didn’t think it should die. I’m very Irish.”
The Irish Fair operates on what Huntsberger calls a shoe-string budget. “We raise money for the fair, and we sell food and booth space. We hope to make enough each year in order to hold the fair the next year.”
The fair organizers will be making the food for the event. Pasties, Irish stew and hot dogs will be available. They will also be selling beer from Cabinet Mountain Brewery. Wine and additional food for sale will also be available.
The event opens at 10 a.m. with the craft fair, which runs until 3 p.m. The 45 vendor booth spots are already completely sold out. Music will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will go all day long.
Scheduled acts include Kathy O’Leary, Ann Mason, Clan McLaury, Anna Gray, Rod Snyder, Dave Blackburn and Bluegrass Friends and Brian Sherry and Irish Music Friends. Shaughnessy Hill Music, featuring fair founder David Latham, will take the stage at 5:30 to close the event.
There is no admission fee charged to the public for this event.