Entertainer Cahal Dunne had everyone in the crowd signing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," whether or not they really were Irish.
It was the theme of the entire day as the Irish Celtic Festival reintroduced visitors to all things Irish on March 11 at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.
Besides the special events, such as the Lucky Dog Parade and the Irish Spirits Relay Race, plenty of traditional Irish food and drink was being scooped up by the enthusiastic crowd.
The event was presented by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
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Lakewood Ranch' s Rachel Hibbert and Lori Ziegler share corned beef and cabbage during the Irish Celtic Festival.
Sarasota' s Joe Vespoli, his granddaughter Kieran Shaw and her mom, Candace Shaw, pose with Buddy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Shawna Cruikshank, Chad Lowe, Nikki Lowe and Jim Cruikshank wear their green with pride. The Cruikshanks are from Palm Aire while the Lowes live in Heritage Harbour.
Lakewood Ranch' s Juliana Fuschetto, 7, spins on a ride during the Irish Celtic Festival.
Pipers Bob Fair and Tony Huleatt of Lion Rampart Pipe and Drum, blow out a tune at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Reed Bryan of Sweet Popper Kettle Corn, stirs the pot.
Above the Grain owner Jennifer Burns serves up corned beef and cabbage.
Cahal Dunne tickles the piano keys during the Irish Celtic Festival.
What' s an Irish festival without beer? Chelsea Miller of Long Island, N.Y., and Lisa Boystak and Patti Boystak of Sarasota partake.
Pam Gates, Linda Yang and Cheri McDonough, members of Lion Rampart Pipe and Drum, get ready to perform.
Kelly Christie, the owner of Wandering Pub LLC, is ready for business in her inflatable pub at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Choloe, a 4-year-old French Bulldog, proudly wears No. 3 for the Lucky Dog Parade.
Mom Shana Munns of Braden River Lakes embarks on a fun outing with her daughters, Sienna, 10, Chloe, 6, and Ava, 7. All three attend Freedom Elementary.
Keith Dennis represented the New World Celts of Sarasota at the festival.
John Gale of Englewood raises a mug and shows off his kilt at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Ozzy the Shih Tzu is ready for the Lucky Dog Parade. He belongs to Lakewood Ranch' s Erin Doney.
The Lucky Dog Parade begins at the festival.
Pipers from Lion Rampart Pipe and Drum lead the Lucky Dog Parade.
Lakewood Ranch' s Sal DePaolis goes with the green at the festival.
Laura Callahan of Clearwater came prepared with her Guinness beer socks.
Chef Suzy Smith and volunteer Sean Marks prepare fish and chips for Pub 32 at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Festival goers jam under the tent to watch entertainer Cahal Dunne.
Romeo, a lab and Irish setter mix, laps up a little refreshment at the festival. Romeo is owned by Mike Hummel.
Molly McWilliams, Colleen Hickle, Mary Kate Farrelly, Cierra Trapani and Olivia Mason take the main stage at the Irish Celtic Festival for the Drake School of Irish Dance.
Brittany and Peter Ringleuer of Sarasota made sure their boys, Sebastian, 10, Adam, 12, and Andy, 13, played a potato game at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Above the Grain cook Benet Hopper puts the finishing touches on a Reuben sandwich.
Performers for the Drake School of Irish Dance pound the stage while doing an Irish dance.
The Drake School of Irish Dance performed some fancy footwork.
Olivia Mason of the Drake School of Irish Dance moves across the dance floor while performing at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Tara' s Natalie King does some high stepping during her performance at the Irish Celtic Festival.
Lakewood Ranch' s Courtney Flesche, 9, begins her dance on the main stage. She represents the Drake School of Irish Dance.
