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Irish Fest Press Release, May 30

May 30, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

Lawler Irish Fest is pleased to introduce “The Don’t Be Brothers” playing the main stage on Friday, June 21 from 7:00 pm – l1:00 pm. All entertainment is under a tent and some seating is available, though it is expected most visitors will bring lawn chairs. No coolers are allowed inside the beer tent itself.

Larry Kernagis and Larry Diemer, “The Don’t be Brothers” have been entertaining crowds throughout the midwest for many years. These Irish American Folksingers & Merrymakers, by their own admission, know enough Irish songs to choke a leprechaun!

There will be several other activities on stage as well; please see our program for details. One such activity will be the crowning of the Lil’ Lad and Lil’ Lass contest. Entry forms can be found on our website, along with contact information if you have questions.

Don’t miss Friday night’s fantastic free-will admission entertainment!

The festival committee is still in need of volunteers and would love to have you participate in this 1st ever event. You don’t need to be from Lawler or even Irish! This is a great way to meet lots of people, make new friends, and help make this inaugural event a success. Also, you’ll get into all entertainment on Saturday FREE!

Visit the Lawler Irish Fest website at www.lawleriowa.us (go to the EVENTS tab for various links) for details. Remember, you can sign up to volunteer online, purchase festival merchandise, obtain parade entry or Lil’ Lad & Lass contest forms, make an online donations, or simply view the program.

The goal of this inaugural event is threefold:

  • To celebrate Lawler’s Irish heritage

  • To bring the community together

  • To give back to the community

For additional information or questions, contact Pat Sheridan at 563-238-2402 https://www.australia-casino.org/

For parade information or questions, contact PJ Rosenbaum at 319-240-9400.

Donation Form

If you wish to make a donation to the Irish Festival, you may use this form. It will be mailed to Lawler area businesses early next week. Even though this is sent to businesses, it may be used for individual donations as well. Simply print it off, fill it out, and send it to the address provided. Remember, the more our donations, the more we’ll be able to offer you when you come to the festival. Our goal is to raise $30,000; can you help?

Click here for Donation Form.

Accommodations

Click here for link to Chickasaw County Tourism

You’ll find links to B&Bs, Camping, Motels, etc.

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Camping

Limited number of campsites available at the Lawler Park. Contact Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk, @ 563.238.3614 (email address: lawlercityclerk@iowatelecom.net) to reserve your space!

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Campsites in Waucoma and New Hampton but not sure how to reserve them. You would need to call the appropriate City Halls for information.

Motels

Discounts offered to those attending the Irish Festival. (Make certain they are aware that you’re attending the Irish Fest to receive the discount.)

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Super 8, New Hampton, 10% Discount

(only six rooms left; blocked until May 31)

Phone: 641.394.3838

Email: super8nh@mediacombb.net

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Southgate Inn, New Hampton, 10% Discount

(only 20 rooms left; blocked until June 7)

Phone: 641.394.4145

Website: www.southgateinn.com

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The next closest cities are Cresco, West Union, and Decorah.

Contact Information

This page will include contact information. The names/addresses/telephone numbers listed will be those of the specific event chair.

Festival Chairs

  • Tony & Amanda Blazek
  • Debi Speltz
  • Pat Sheridan

Parade

P.J. Rosenbaum, chair, email: pj_rose@windstream.net ; phone: 319.240.9400

Merchandise/Vendors

Tammy Vrzak, chair; email: tvrzak@turkey-v.k12.ia.us; phone: 563.380.2462

5K Run

Debi Speltz, chair, email: speltzd@iowatelecom.net; phone: 641-330-2136

Volleyball Tournament

John Otters, chair, email: jkotters@hotmail.com; phone: 563.380.7030

Bean Bag Tournament

Jason Byrne, chair, email: brite_spot1@yahoo.com; phone: 563.238.2300

Children’s Activities

Liz Nieman, co-chair, email: lanieman81@gmail.com; phone: 319.464.6476

Caroline Scheidel, co-chair, email: csheidel@turkey-v.k12.ia.us; phone: 641.330.7555

Public Relations

Pat Sheridan, co-chair, email: pat.sheridan@windstream.net; phone: 563.238.2402

Amanda Blazek, co-chair, email: amandablzk@gmail.com; phone: 641.330.6445

Diana Gebel, co-chair, email: dianagebel@iowatelecom.net ; phone: 563.238.2571

Jack McKone, co-chair, phone: 563.238.3234

Volunteer Committee

Luke and Mary Reicks, co-chairs, email: mreicks@myclearwave.net; phone: 319.415.4911

Security

John Izer, chair, email: johnizer@hotmail.com, phone: 641-330-6186

Logistics

John Izer, chair, email: johnizer@hotmail.com, phone: 641-330-6186

Beer Tent

Kurt Croell, c0-chair, email: kurt.croell@croell.com; phone: 319-240-8090

Harold Busta, co-chair, email: harold.busta@croell.com; phone: 319-240-4165

Fund Raising

chair, email: ; phone:

Entertainment

Tony and Amanda Blazek, co-chair, email: amandablzk@gmail.com; phone: 641.330.6445

Stage Maintenance

chair,

Belgian Waffle Breakfast

Debi Speltz, co-chair, email: speltzd@iowatelecom.net; phone: 641.330.2136

Gail Stammeyer, co-chair, email: stam_fam@hotmail.com; phone: 641.330.0392

First Aid

Debi Speltz, chair, email: speltzd@iowatelecom.net; phone: 641.330.2136

Transportation

Jerry Vrzak, chair, phone: 563.380.2127

 

Donor List

View our current list of donors. We’d love to add your name to our list. There are many expenses involved and the more money we’re able to raise the more we can offer you. Please consider helping us out in this, our first endeavor. Thank you!

Designations to be included on this site as well as programs distributed during the festival; let’s add your name.

Emerald
 $2,500 +
Diamond $1,000 — $2,499
Platinum $500 – $999
Gold $250 – $499
Silver $100 – $249
Bronze $25 – $99

Donations may be sent to Debi Speltz, PO Box 162, Lawler, IA 52154
Checks should be made payable to “Lawler Irish Fest”

Current Contributors

Go raibh míle maith agat
(Celtic “Thank You”)

Emerald ($2,500 +)

* Kurt Croell, Croell Redi-Mix, Inc.

* Patrick B. Dillon, Attorney at Law (Sumner)

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Diamond ($1,000 +)

* Bank Iowa

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Platinum ($500 +)

* John Kuennen (Ron & Kay Kuennen Family)

* Anonymous

* John & Leslie Cuvelier, Insurance Associates of Lawler

* Anonymous (In Memory of Vincent and Gertrude Martin)

* Nick & Kara Speltz

* Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home

* Mike & Sherri Blazek Family

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 Gold ($250 +)

* R. Patrick & Janet Sheridan

* Anonymous

* Kohlmeyer, Inc. (Pat & Joanne Costigan)

* Anonymous (In memory of Daniel W. & Sadie L. McFarland)

* Paul & Rosemary Timlin

____________________

Silver ($100 +)

* Boeding & Speltz Family Dentistry (New Hampton)
(Barb Boeding DDS and  Kara (Sheridan) Speltz DDS)

* Jack & Ruth McKone Family (for purchase of 23 Irish flags for parade route)

* Mabel Croell Banwell

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Bronze ($25 +)

* Tom & Eileen Carolan

* William & Renee Sheridan

* Greg & Mary Lee Timlin

Program

We’re in the process of getting the program organized. I’ll begin with a tentative, sketchy schedule so give you an idea where we stand as of today. I will update as decisions are made firm.

Friday, June 21, beginning at 5:00 pm.

  • Casual get-together; time to visit old and new friends
  • FREE admission to Entertainment
  • Beer tent
  • 5K Run
  • Lil’ Miss and Lil’ Lad Contest (limited to Lawler citizens OR children of Lawler descendants)
  • Specials at local establishments
  • Picture gallery

Saturday, June 22, beginning with parade @ 10:30 am

  • 10:30 Parade
  • Volleyball tournament
  • Children’s activities
  • Shanachie — Irish story telling with Bill Sheridan & panel
  • Vendors
  • Picture gallery
  • Beer tent entertainment
  • Lion’s Club barbeque chicken dinner
  • Best legs in kilts (men)
  • 8:00 pm to midnight; Nineteen Pints (Chicago entertainment)

Sunday, June 23, beginning with Mass @ 8:00 am

  • Mass @ Our Lady of Mount Carmel
  • Belgian waffle breakfast with entertainment
  • Bean bag tournament; 1:00 to 5:00
  • Food vendors
  • “Sounds of Nashville” paid dance @ The Starlite Ballroom; 1:30 – 5:30

 

Comment Page — Questions? Comment?

I moved the comment section to a new page since our first page was getting too crowded.

  • sounds like a wonderful idea..

  • Pat Sheridan says:

    We expect to see a large Croell contingency in attendance, Mabel! ;-)

  • Dave the Golden Son Kuennen says:

    I’m assembling a polka/c&w MP3 player for dad maybe it ‘ll be done for the festivities….!!!!

  • Dave the Golden Son Kuennen says:

    Yeah like I typed

  • Pat Sheridan says:

    We’re looking forward to your creativity, Dave! Actually, though, we’re really looking forward to the O’Kuennen showing up in their kilts. Will we see there? (Pat)

  • Jane McKone says:

    Oh Awesome! Count me in! But, uh, Barbeque Chicken at an Irish Fest?

    • Pat Sheridan says:

      Yup! Barbecue Chicken, Jane. Actually, this is the Lions Club annual affair and you can rely on some great soul food. :-)

      I knew the McKones would show up; I look forward to seeing you guys. (Pat)

    • Amanda Blazek says:

      You just wait Jane. We will be having some Irish food as well:)

  • Jane Milcoff says:

    My sister Joann saw this on facebook and of course told our family about it. Our Mom was a Wichman who grew up in Lawler. She can’t wait. She loves her Irish heritage. We plan to be there. That is her birthday weekend as well so she can also celebrate that. She will be turning 80 on June 24th.

    • Pat Sheridan says:

      We look forward to having the Wichman family with us. I’m wondering if your Mom is Madonna Einwalter and I had you as a student? (Pat Sheridan)

  • John ” Disco ” Kuennen says:

    Please contact me as I would Love us to become a Platinum $ 500.00 supporter in the name of Ron & Kay Kuennen family …. again contact me @ johnkuennen@hotmail.com

  • Pat Sheridan says:

    This is our first online donation, John. Thank you so much. I’ll have Debi Speltz contact you.

  • Teresa Croell Johnson says:

    This has all the earmarks of a fantastic weekend, I am really looking forward to it and hope I get to see all my “old” friends (No pun intended). Pat if you got this all started THANK YOU , and THANK YOU to all who were part of this plan.

  • Pat Sheridan says:

    The plan was devised by Tony and Amanda Blazek and Debi Speltz. I will make sure they see your compliment. They’ve already spent hours and hours on the project. I’m a late participant to the committee.

    • Amanda Blazek says:

      Thank you Teresa and Pat. If it wasn’t for your assistance Pat, we wouldn’t be as far as we are right now!! Deb and Tony have been staying on top of everything. Thank goodness for them pressing on.

  • Jess McKone Powell says:

    Sounds like a lot of fun! Can’t wait!

  • Karla Busta Pisarik says:

    Sounds like a great time—the Czech’s will be celebrating with the Irish that weekend :)

    • Pat Sheridan says:

      Getting Arnie to an Irish Fest twice in one year? Ummmmm . . . maybe we’ll be changing his last name to O’Busta? We’re looking forward to your clan as well, Karla.

  • Jane McKone says:

    History in the making… this is going to be a time to remember! BBQ chicken and all! I will be signing up to volunteer right away! Thanks cousin Pat!

    • Pat Sheridan says:

      We’re in the midst of getting a volunteer sheet designed so it can possibly be completed online. Keep watching, Cousin! :-)

  • Jane McKone says:

    When you guys are getting to making plans for Sunday Mass… can you please let me know who to contact about asking to participate as a reader of 1st or 2nd readings?? Tx! Bless this Frst!!

  • Jane McKone says:

    Thanks cousin… and I apologize for my typo… I meant to say: BLESS THIS FEST!!!

  • Paula Martin Herold says:

    I am not on Face Book, and just got this info from Mark Scally! I will be checking in for information. I hope to be there!!! Thanks to the committee for their work on this! Paula H

    • Pat Sheridan says:

      We’ll be looking forward to seeing lots of “old” Lawlerites, Paula. Make sure Jim and your other siblings get this link. Wouldn’t your old classmate Mike (Sheridan) have been in 7th Heaven with an event like this . . . he loved Lawler, and he loved being Irish!

  • Teresa Croell Johnson says:

    Mike would have loved it, he would have swaggered in with his memorable strut. What great memories, but I am sure he will be watching!

  • Kara Speltz says:

    Looks like it’s all coming together. Can’t wait! We were thinking of entering a “Sheridan” float in the parade. Will be contacting Amanda to see if she would know anyone with extra trailors to use for us to decorate. I’m pretty sure I have a daughter who will want to be part of the LIttle Miss also!