Rockin’ Shamrock
Last February, Kay Dailey found herself marooned in Mt Laurel during a snowstorm.
As the owner of The Red Shamrock Pub, it wasn’t the worst place to be, but she was still without a change of clothes and a toothbrush for about three days. The Greystone resident kept her pub open as a refuge for the surrounding office workers who had been sleeping under their desks, and the experience turned into one big party.
Inspired by the experience, Dailey chose to give the proceeds from Red Shamrock’s annual Shamfest to the Cahaba Valley Fire Department. The department put her donation toward a four-wheel drive UTV, which Cahaba Valley will now be able to use during future snowstorms.
Grant Wilkinson, Cahaba Valley Fire Department public information officer, said Dailey approached him last year after the department had determined a need for the utility terrain vehicle.
“We utilized this donation and other funding to purchase and equip our Kubota UTV,” he said. “We have had the UTV in service for approximately six months. During this time it has been utilized at several public events for display purposes and to act as a patient care unit if needed.”
The unit has been outfitted to be equipped with two different skids, one setup for wild land fire fighting capability with 50 gallons of water and a small pump and the other for patient care.
“Shamfest has been going for several years,” Wilkinson said. “It is a great community event in Mt Laurel that is open to the public, and we have been very happy in supporting and participating in the event...I would anticipate Cahaba Valley continuing its support of and participation in Shamfest for as long as the organizers have it.”
This year, the proceeds of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration will go toward the Autism Society of Alabama. Shamfest was originally created by its founders, the Griffin family, as a fundraising event for the Hope for Gabe Foundation, but when Dailey purchased The Red Shamrock in December 2013, she took a different path.
“I’m a mom, and I love kids and animals,” Dailey said. “If you are making money, bringing people up here and you can give to charity, then why not? I think you should. I wish I could help every one of them.”
Dailey plans to help a different organization each year while also providing a fun day for everyone involved. Shamfest is basically “one big party” filled with live music hand-picked by Dailey, family fun and green beer.
Last year, the event was spread over two days. This year, Shamfest will be March 14 with bands playing from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Headliner Deputy 5 starts at 7 p.m. Acoustic musicians Brandon Stephens and Lee Burt will kick off the event beforehand.
The Turn, MissUsed and OutShine will also play outside, and Kevin Harrison will play inside The Red Shamrock starting at 6 p.m. A DJ will emcee the event and play in between sets.
“It’s just a big party. People dance and bring their kids. The kids’ dancing… is so cute,” Dailey said. “You can’t move inside [the pub]. It’s wall-to-wall, it’s crazy, and everyone’s dancing and drinking.”
The surrounding streets will be blocked off to make room for the Guinness truck, the Budweiser truck and Bud Girls and the Kids Zone. Kids are free to enjoy the rides, bouncy houses and treats while their parents partake in Irish-themed libations. Merchants such as Edgar’s and the Humidor Room will also be selling products for guests.
For her first Shamfest last year, Dailey was focused on everyone enjoying themselves, not making money. The DJ, who had participated in the event in years past, told Dailey that there were more people at the event than he had ever seen at a Shamfest before. To Dailey, that was all she wanted.
“It made me feel so good, seeing how many people were out there on Saturday,” she said. “I was like, ‘Yes!’”
Shamfest 2015
The Red Shamrock, Mt Laurel
March 14, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Tickets $12
Shamfest Band List
Brandon Stephens
and Lee Burt
OutShine
MissUsed
The Turn
Deputy 5
Kevin Harrison
DJ Burger