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FESTIVAL TO PAY TRIBUTE
TO IRISH TRADITIONS We're all a "wee bit Irish," say the organizers
of the third annual Arizona Irish Festival. Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix will be transformed into the Emerald Isle this Saturday with traditional Irish music and dance. The only mudslinging will take place when the Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society and the Emerald Society of Firefighters challenge their strength at a friendly, though muddy, tug of war. A rare opportunity to see one of the 1,480 limited-edition copies of The Book of Kells will take place at 2 p.m. at the Irish Cultural Center in the park, which stretches from Third Street to Third Avenue south of Culver Street. Irish monks wrote The Book of Kells around A.D. 800. The manuscript is written on vellum with painted illustrations. It contains four Gospels and canon tables. Phoenix resident Sean Lee, who was born in the town of Kells, owns this copy. "It allows me to present some of the culture of Ireland rather than green beer and leprechauns," said Lee, who will present a lecture about this masterpiece. "If it weren't from the monks of Kells, the spread of Christianity would not have fared as well as it did universally," Lee said. "This is the finest masterpiece in the world of ancient Irish art." The 2003 Irish Festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $8; children younger than 12 will be admitted free. For information, call (602) 392-7850. Cultural festivals this weekend Native American Recognition Days: A parade on Central Avenue, followed by a luau and two days of activities at the Desert Botanical Garden. Parade starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, at Park Central Mall. Most activities are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; special events at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Desert Botanical Gardens, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Free with botanical garden admission of $9 for adults, $4 for children, $8 for seniors, free for members and children younger than 3. (480) 941-1225. Greek Festival Authentic Greek food and dinners, beer and wine, a marketplace, and plenty of dancing and music. 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. James A. Speros Community Center, 1973 E. Maryland Ave. Cost: $2.00, children under 12 are free. (602) 264-2791. Irish Festival Music, educational exhibits, food and drink celebrating the Irish culture. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Irish Cultural Center and Margaret T. Hance Park, 1106 N. Central Ave. Cost: $8; free to children younger than 12. |
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