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Leprechaun Days 2010 - In the news...
More than 60 events are planned during the 10-day Rosemount Leprechaun Days festival from July 23-Aug. 1.
The festival will be highlighted by new and changing events along with traditional events such as the Bath Tub Races, Wet ’n’ Wild Day and the Run for the Gold competitive and fun runs.
Among the highlights will be the Mid-Summer Faire in Central Park on Friday, July 30, and Saturday, July 31.
In addition to a carnival, the Johnny Holm Band will take the main stage at Central Park on Friday night, then Rupert’s Orchestra (formerly known as the R Factor) will perform.
Johnny Holm has been a relentless live performer throughout the Twin Cities and the Midwest. He attracts loyal followers with his lively, feel-good music in the same vein as Jimmy Buffet.
It’s no wonder that Johnny covers many of Jimmy’s songs along with recognizable favorites from Van Morrison, Elvis and Billy Joel. The band also has penned some tunes over its decades-long career that have become anthemic crowd favorites.
For another kind of good-time party feel, Rupert’s Orchestra will rock the amphitheater with recognizable hits in the funk, jazz, disco and pop genres.
The music will range from Stevie Wonder to Steely Dan and much in between.
In addition to the musical heavy hitters, Saturday will include traditional favorites such as the Grand Parade, with the family of Army Cpl. Ben Kopp, who died as a result of combat injuries last year, serving as grand marshals.
The night will be highlighted by a fireworks show that has been long hailed as one of the Twin Cities’ best.
For more information about Rosemount Leprechaun Days, see the special section inside Thisweek Newspapers on July 16, go online at ThisweekLive.com or RosemountEvents.com.
Tad Johnson is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
New president leads committee - Laura Briggs helps organize city’s largest festival of the year
by Tad Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers
Rosemount Leprechaun Days is under new leadership this year after it elected new officers in August 2009.
Laura Briggs has served as committee president this year while Diane Wellman, Tom Anderson and Laura Emiola have been the group’s vice president, treasurer and secretary, respectively.
The elevation of these previously serving committee members to these offices aims to re-energize the group as the tough work undertaken by the executive committee is shouldered by new people at least every three years.
All of the previous executive committee members are still part of the committee as they are lending their knowledge from past experience to the group.
Briggs knows it has been helpful to have that “institutional memory” on the committee as the event has many recurring tasks and guidelines.
She knows that from her own experience. Last year, she served as event chairperson coordinating the schedule of events with the various businesses and nonprofits that participate in Leprechaun Days.
With her recent experience with that, she has coordinated the event schedule again this year.
“Leprechaun Days has come to be what it is because of a great group of volunteers and a great community,” she said. “Without that, it wouldn’t be possible.”
Briggs took some time recently to have a question-and-answer session with Thisweek. Following are some of her responses.
Q: Why do you think it is important to volunteer in an event like this?
A: It’s important to be a volunteer because Leprechaun Days doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes a committee and the community to make something like this as great as it is.
Q: If someone were thinking about getting involved in Leprechaun Days, what would you say to them?
A: I would say “Welcome!” I encourage everyone to become involved in Leprechaun Days. It’s great for youth groups, nonprofits, businesses, lifelong residents, and even newcomers to the area. I can’t think of a better way to meet people, and really feel like you are a part of something.
Q: What led to your involvement with Leprechaun Days?
A: I was looking for an opportunity to get involved in the community, and a co-worker recommended Leprechaun Days to me. I couldn’t be more grateful to be involved with such a great group of people.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of it?
A: It’s amazing to be able to just sit back and watch everyone having a great time, because then you know all the work was worth it.
Q: What are you most looking forward to during Leprechaun Days?
A: I’m really looking forward to Johnny Holm on Friday night. I also am excited to see what the Bluegrass Americana weekend turns into. I think it will really be great.
Q: What has been your reaction to seeing the events in past years?
A: It amazes me. I’ve seen “town events” before, but nothing like Leprechaun Days. There is a lot of work that goes into everything, but it’s really worth it once it all comes together. There is something for everyone during the 10 days. I also love that anybody can get involved. If you want an event that isn’t around yet – it’s so easy to start one of your own.
Tad Johnson is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
Americana festival highlights new events - Rosemount Leprechaun Days novel offerings include music, sports, much more
by Tad Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers
Festival to host traditional favorites - Johnny Holm Band, Rupert’s Orchestra to provide music backdrop in final days
by Tad Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers
Rosemount Leprechaun Days, the community’s annual 10-day-long summer festival, has thrived in recent years due in large part to local individuals and groups organizing new events to bring added interest and excitement.
Headlining the list of new events is the Rosemount Area Arts Council’s three-day Bluegrass Americana Festival from July 23-25.
The festival is being funded in large part through a Minnesota Regional Arts Council grant.
The weekend kicks off July 23 with By the Light of the Moon string band providing the music for a square dance at Central Park. The event also includes Irish and Appalachian clogging demonstrations.
The fun continues on Saturday with the Bluegrass Festival and Craft Fair at Central Park.
The day will be filled with music, food and arts.
The band lineup includes plenty of local flavor with Rosemount resident Craig Evans’ band Singleton Street and Sawtooth, which includes three brothers of Rosemount’s Brizter family.
Singleton Street has recorded two CDs and plays a lively blend of bluegrass and gospel music.
The brothers are Clint on guitar and lead vocals, Luke on fiddle and harmony vocals, and Shane, the band’s emcee, on banjo.
Also playing will be the New North String Band and Tangled Roots.
Tangled Roots has played all over the Midwest in the past five years. The band covers songs from the likes of Bill Monroe, Elvis Presley, Bruce Hornsby and John Prine.
The festival will wrap up Sunday with a gospel sing reflecting a Shape Note repertoire – a kind of singing early American settlers used – and orchestral concert in Central Park.
Various local church singing groups will raise their voices prior to a show by the Medalist Concert Band, which will play classical orchestral music.
The Americana festival also is giving local residents a chance to show their artistic side through its Photo Contest and Exhibit on July 31 at the Steeple Center (former St. Joseph Church).
People can enter their original photography by the July 15 deadline. During the event people may cast ballots for their favorite pictures.
It will be the first event organized by a community group held in the Steeple Center, which will have a grand opening ribbon cutting event Friday, July 23, from 5-6 p.m.
The Steeple Center also will have an open house from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 30.
The city recently remodeled the former church for its projected use as a place for plays, cultural events, weddings, meetings and much more.
Sporting life
Sports fanatics of all types will have a ball with the addition of several events.
Primary among the offerings are an Exhibition Hurling Match by the Twin Cities Robert Emmets Hurling Club on Saturday, July 31, after the Grand Day Parade.
The demonstration of the 3,000-year-old Gaelic game is being organized by the Minnesota Irish Cultural Center.
Hurling is mostly like field hockey, but also has elements of lacrosse, baseball, soccer and hockey. The players advance hurleys – about the size of a baseball – using spoon-shaped silotars (sticks) down a field to score goals (both soccer size). Three points are awarded per goal and one point for going over a cross bar.
Spectators can enjoy watching a boys soccer 3-on-3 Jamboree on July 30 at Diamond Path Elementary School fields.
Students from Rosemount Elementary School will offer a show of a sporting variety with a Double Dutch Jump-Rope Exhibition on July 27.
If playing is more your style, there are tournaments for whiffle ball (July 25), boys basketball (grades 5-12, July 26 and 28), and golf (July 31).
During the Whiffle Ball Tournament, plastic-bat-swinging Joe Mauer-wannabes of all ages can take their hacks during a fundraising event for Rosemount High School Baseball.
To register for the 3-on-3 Boys Basketball Tournament go online at district196.org/rhs/facultyadd.cfm?id=556.
Rosemount High School DECA and the city are organizing an 18-hole best ball Golf Tournament to benefit 360 Communities after the parade. With a dinner, golfers will pay $60 per person.
For children who like activity of another kind, the Rosemount American Legion will host its first Kids Dance on July 26. Families are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items and new socks to donate for charity.
The schedule is packed with new music events.
Willow Brae, a Celtic musician, will perform a free concert July 24 at the Robert Trail Library and tickets are required by calling ahead of time.
The Irish band Legacy, which features Rosemount resident Kevin Carroll on percussion, will perform on July 29 and be followed by some very talented teen bands at the Central Park Amphitheater.
Carbone’s Pizza & Pub will host Another Week of Rock from July 28-31 with the following events: Ken Wanovich, Danny Setzler, DJ Mike of Complete Music and Mojo Monk.
Event changes
Some changes are being planned for a few of the festival’s traditional events.
The Cub Foods Family Fun Day has changed its name and venue. The Afternoon in the Park with Cub and Friends will move to Central Park on July 27.
The event will include plenty of kids’ games, jumper houses and costumed characters.
There is a new organizer for the Bathtub Races at Central Park. This year, Lighthouse Christian Church will run the fundraiser that will give proceeds for Water4Kids.
Teams of three can enter in three divisions – youth, adult and business – as they navigate an obstacle course while spectators toss balloons in their direction. People should not bring their own balloons.
That is not the only event Lighthouse is organizing at Central Park.
The church will have a Community Worship Night on July 28 and Worship Service on Aug. 1.
Tad Johnson is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
