Saturday, March 17, 2012

Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival  Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Orange County Market Place / Swap Meet, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 949-723-6660 / ocmarketplace.com

See video of dancers at event!

So you think you can dance?  An estimated 20,000 people show up annually at the affordable, family fun St. Patrick's Day Festival at Orange County Market Place held at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

The event each year includes youth dance groups from local Irish dance schools that amaze the audience with the glittery costumes and high stepping acts. Irish stilt-walkers, magicians, green lemonade, green mint ice cream and green beer are a few of the accents to the event held a weekend near March 17, St. Patrick's Day. 

Entertainment include acts like:

World Champion Dance Troupes from Orange County: Westside Stage Claddagh School of Irish Dance: 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. Aniar Academy of Irish Dance: 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. Fearon O'Connor School of Irish Dance: 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.

Strolling Entertainment Abbit the Average Leprechaun (Jeff Abbit): Magic & comedy: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Irish Lass Stilt Walker, Joy Halverson: Noon to 2 p.m. Green Lemonade and Free Green Mint Ice Cream while supplies last.

 The Orange County Market Place is located at the O.C. Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking available.  When visiting be sure to see the Centennial Farm, a free admission area with barns, displays, cow milking demonstrations, cows, bulls, pigs, chickens, roosters, lamas, sheep, and many baby barnyard animals.