Paddyfest 2010
March 6 – March 22
Nearby Listowel has one of North America’s largest Irish festivals, called Paddyfest, which is held over the two weeks surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. The festival was first started in 1977 from an idea put forth by Dave Murtha to honour the large numbers of persons of Irish ancestry present in the Listowel area and is largely maintained by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs of Listowel.
Over the years, Paddyfest has raised funds for such worthwhile projects as the local hospital, pool, Kin Park, a new Crime Stoppers van and rebuilding the grandstand at the fair grounds.
From VisitPerth.ca: In Listowel “there’s a great mix of arts, theatre, shopping, dining and activities to please. From garden centres to kitchen ware, baking equipment and chocolate shops, yarns and fabrics, antiques, tea rooms and ice cream cones – travellers will enjoy local theatre, arts tours, parks, swimming pools and sports and heritage and Teddy Bears too! If golf’s the game for the family, Listowel’s course awaits. If walking and cycling appeal, sample the North Perth Trail starting in Gowanstown.”