Irish Fest Family Day a Hit with All Ages

Taverns, whether Irish or not, teemed with revelers from early Saturday morning on, with the promise of a St. Patrick's Day of rare gorgeous weather and NCAA basketball – not to mention a flood of beer.

But at the headquarters of , 1532 Wauwatosa Ave., there was not a bottle of whiskey or a barrel of ale in sight.

Instead, organizers of Irish Fest Family Day in the Village focused on Irish arts, culture and heritage with activities for all ages.

Music, dance and crafts ruled a day that even the youngest could enjoy with their siblings and parents.

Diana Sauter traveled from Paddock Lake to demonstrate the fine art of making Irish lace, and Naomi Holthaus of Racine showed how to spin flax into linen.

Dorothy Walsh played Irish harp, which she says, compared to a symphony harp, is "less expensive, much lighter, stays in tune better, sounds better, and is more fun to play."