Great to be Irish, or a dog, at the Lakewood Ranch Irish Celtic Festival

By Lesley Dwyer
| 4:15 p.m. March 15, 2025

Sara, Erik and Isabella Stream attend the Irish Celtic Festival with "Most Creative Costume" winner Daisy.

East County
Neighbors

The last time East County’s Isabella Stream entered the Lucky Dog Parade and Contest with her Golden Retriever Daisy, the pair won for “Best Dog and Owner Lookalikes” because of their matching hair color.

This year, the pair took home the prize for the “Most Creative Costume.” Stream donned a decked out Irish hat, and Daisy wore a shamrock tutu.

The Lucky Dog Parade has become a highlight of the annual Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park, which was held March 15.

This year, 11 dogs entered the contest and three won prize baskets. Proceeds from the contest benefit Satchel's Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary.

Nero, a giant Great Dane wearing a tiny, green sequined hat, won for the “Best Overall Costume,” and a couple of potatoes won for the “Funniest Costumes.”

Gail Yeager was a half-baked potato. Her 6-year-old Yorkie Hetty was a fully-loaded potato. Bottles of “Jamuttson” Irish Whiskey served as props.

Yeager has made a tradition of attending the festival. She drives from Pinellas Park with one of her three dogs, both of them fully dressed in costume.

They walk in the parade and then go to dinner with friends.

Members of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum gather for a last-minute practice session before the Lucky Dog Parade.

Gail Yeager and Hetty's potato costumes win in the "funniest" category. Yeager is half-baked, while Hetty is fully-loaded.

Dancers from Drake Irish Dance Sarasota entertain the crowd.

Sara, Erik and Isabella Stream attend the Irish Celtic Festival with "Most Creative Costume" winner Daisy.

The annual Lucky Dog Parade benefits Satchel's Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary.

There's no prize for the biggest dog at the Irish Celtic Festival, but Nero the Great Dane would have qualified."

John Gale is a member of the New World Celts of Venice and the Suncoast Scots.

Bradenton's Mary Quinn settles in to watch the Blue Skye Pipes and Drums band.

Food trucks line up in Adventure Park for the Irish Celtic Festival March 15.

Rhaya is a 7-year-old Great Dane and American bulldog mix who is accepting donations in her harness for Satchel's Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary at the Irish Celtic Festival.

Lakewood Ranch's 6-year-old Ansley Cleveland and 7-year-old Savannah Cato are feeling Irish after having their faces painted.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.