Cole Camp green: Residents pull out all the shamrocks for festival

Apr 06, 2008 (The Sedalia Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- -- There was no green beer and instead of corned beef and cabbage there were bratwursts and sauerkraut, but the residents of Cole Camp celebrated the fifth annual Irish Festival in style.

Young and old were decked out in green clothes, hats, beads, ribbons and even a kilt or two. Family pets were also decorated for the event, with a variety of green ribbons and bows attached to their collars. An Irish balladeer and a Celtic rock band sang traditional Irish ballads and gave toasts to the crowds. And through it all, no one seemed to mind or care that St. Patrick's Day already happened nearly three weeks ago.

Tara Walker and her husband, Storm, started the Irish Festival five years ago, after moving to Cole Camp from Kansas City.

"Kansas City always has a big festival so one year we decided to throw a big party and it grew from there," she said.

Walker said the Festival always takes place the first weekend in April, rather than on St. Patrick's Day, because it's easier to get Irish entertainment to come to Cole Camp that weekend.

Some of the entertainment included Irish songs by the Cole Camp German Singers, Irish balladeer Rob Gavin and Kansas City Celtic band, Flannigan's Right Hook.

"I always have a great time singing at the Irish Festival," said Vernon Stelling, one of the German Singers. "We don't sing in a brogue, though sometimes I think we should, but some of us put a little Irish flare into the songs."

Both the German Singers and Gavin sang traditional Irish ballads, from "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" to "Danny Boy." The Searches 4-H club served up brats, coleslaw and chips as families spread out at the picnic tables, enjoying the sunny day as they listened and clapped along to the music.

"I came today because I like to support the community," said Cole Camp resident Lyn Kadrie. "Cole Camp has such a strong culture, I try not to miss being part of that atmosphere."

"One of the things I like most about the Irish Festival is being able to visit with people I haven't seen in a while," said Derek Harms. "We are a German town, but there are also a lot of Irish people too; it's a way for everyone to celebrate."

"I think the Festival brings everyone together, whether they're Irish or not," Walker said. "It's just a fun thing to do."

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