*Irish Singer James Kilbane headlines St. Patrick’s Day party in Avon Lake* *A family-friendly and alcohol-free St. Patrick’s Day party and celebration, presented by Sober Seventeenth, Inc. and sponsored by the ,* *The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services* (*MHARS*) *Board of **Lorain County** returns to Avon Lake’s elegant Ahern’s Banquet Center for the seventh consecutive year to offer a family friendly, rip-roaring good time from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday, March 17th. * It's a new party, a new way that has emerged as one of the biggest and best St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Northeast Ohio. The Sober Seventeenth St. Patrick's Day Party serves no alcohol, but it offers an abundance of fun and enjoyment through authentic Irish culture. The event offers: ● Back by popular demand and directly from Ireland is James Kilbane. Kilbane is, famous for the 2005 “You’re a Star” televised competition and has gone on to achieve multi-platinum sales of his recordings in Ireland and become County Mayo’s number one singer. James will entertain with Irish ballads, folk songs and popular favorites. ● Making their Sober Seventeenth debut, Stephanie McNamara and Brendan Hearn from Cleveland performing traditional Irish tunes on fiddle and cello; ● Guests will be greeted by bagpipe tunes by 14-year-old prodigy Reece Calovini. Reece is the youngest piper in the history of the 87th Cleveland Pipe Band, a competitive pipe band founded in Cleveland in 1987. ● The award-winning Brady-Campbell School of Irish Dance, with locations in Cleveland and Avon Lake, will showcase authentic Irish culture through the performance of young Irish step dancers, always a crowd favorite. ● Fun for kids, including shamrock face-painting and a St. Patrick’s Day theme coloring contest with valuable prizes. The children’s activities are sponsored by Judge Sherry Glass and the Lorain County Family Drug Court. . ● A saintly serving of Irish and international favorites for every taste and appetite including: Corned beef, Swedish meatballs, Italian sausage, cheese crackers and veggies, fresh fruit display, chicken lollipop (gluten free), mini hamburgers, pasta marinara and pasta Mediterranean, tea, coffee and soft drinks. "It's so much we don’t need booze," explained Jack Kilroy, President of the nonprofit Sober Seventeenth, Inc. "But seriously, we help people in recovery prevent relapse, we provide a counterpoint to the pervasive drunken Irish stereotype and we give families a chance to show their children authentic Irish culture away from the sea of alcohol that has flooded the day meant to honor the patron saint of Ireland." "On certain holidays in particular, our culture promotes excessive drinking as a synonym for 'celebration.' This no-alcohol St. Patrick's Day event sets a new standard as a terrific celebration of music, families, and friends. It welcomes people of all ages, and those who are in recovery, and sets a great example to the wider community of celebrating without the need for substances," says Elaine Georgas, Interim Executive Director of the MHARS Board. Admission includes parking, food and great entertainment. Tickets are $20 and $10 for kids aged 10 & under. Advance sale and online tickets are only $17 and $6 for kids. Tickets and are available online at https://march17.brownpapertickets.com and paper tickets are available at Casey’s Irish Imports in Rocky River, Ohio. *Contact: Jack Kilroy at sober17th@gmail.com <sober17th@gmail.com> or 440-759-1253* -- Jack Kilroy Tel. 440-759-1253 * People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.* (George Bernard Shaw, Irish writer) http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-P-Kilroy-Co-LPA/227957677221720 www.jackkilroy.com