The tradition of turning Fountain Hills’ landmark fountain green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into the annual Irish Fest event at Fountain Park.

Residents and visitors alike turnout in their best green attire to celebrate Irish heritage. No charge for admission.

The event will be held Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the park surrounding Fountain Lake. The activities will be highlighted by two occasions when the fountain will be spouting green, at 12 noon and again at 4 p.m.

There will be a dedicated kids’ zone, traditional Irish folk dancing, live performances by a Celtic rock band, food truck fare and the beer garden hosted by Crescent Crown.

The schedule of events includes festival opening at 11 a.m.; Frank Mackey from 11 to 11:55 a.m.; greening of the fountain at 12 p.m.; Kilted Spirit Band, 1 to 2 p.m.; Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band from 2 to 3 p.m.; second greening of the fountain at 4 p.m.; and Traveler – Celtic Rock Band will play from 3 to 5 p.m.

The presenting sponsor for Irish Fest is REMAX Sun Properties, The Sonoran Lifestyle Team.

On St. Patrick’s Day 1978, a Fountain Hills homebuilder celebrated his Irish heritage by riding a horse through a local tavern. His friends looked for a way to top the stunt and proposed a wager to turn the fountain green and water ski around the lake. Whoever didn’t show up was out $250.

On St. Patrick’s Day 1979 a large crowd showed up to watch the fun as the fountain, with the cooperation of the developer, turned bright green. All the bettors skied around the fountain except for one who couldn’t get up on the skis.

That was the beginning of the Fountain Hills Shamrock Society, which for many years saw to it that the fountain turned green on St. Patrick’s Day, as they had fun riding around the lake on “Nessie” Fountain Hills’ own original lake monster.