Ansonia to hold Irish flag-raising ceremony Saturday

*Re-posting as a reminder

ANSONIA - The city's Cultural Commission is sponsoring an "Irish Flag Raising" ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in front of City Hall, 253 Main St.

That portion of the street will be closed for the ceremony and entertainment immediately following.

The Rev. Jeff Gubbiotti, pastor, Church of the Assumption will offer the invocation and students from the Assumption School will be on hand to recite the "Pledge of Allegiance" and sing The National Anthem and an Irish tune.

Mayor David S. Cassetti and James Hubbard of Ansonia will do the honor of raising the Irish flag. Cassetti also will read a proclamation honoring the Irish ancestry and heritage.

Phyllis Kaplan, a local DJ, will play Irish tunes as people arrive for the festivities. She said she'd love to have everyone join in for an Irish sing-a-long prior to the ceremony and again at the conclusion.

The Doyle Senior Center chorus, under the direction of Josephine Blackwell, will entertain with several tunes and students of the Mulkerin School of Irish Dancing in West Haven will perform traditional dances, including an Irish jig, in the blocked off street 

Also performing will be a barbershop quartet from the Coastal Chordsmen of Trumbull.  "Take Four" will sing a rendition of "Wild Irish Rose,""McNamara's Band," and "The Irish Parting Blessing." Victor Lembo, a member of Holy Rosary Church, sings tenor with the quartet.

The Cultural Commission invites the public to attend and join in the festivities. There will be a surprise after the ceremony and entertainment.

This is a press release from Judy Nicolari, chairwoman, Ansonia Cultural Commission.