Keeping the Spirit of Giving Alive
Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas to celebrate 21 years of community generosity, holiday cheer, and helping local families
Over 40 baskets will be available to win at this year’s Irish Christmas event. Photo / Rich Rumfola
ELLICOTTVILLE - Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas is coming to town! This year’s festivities will take place on Friday, December 4 in the Brew Hall at Ellicottville Brewing Company. Presented by “The Bob McCarthy Foundation” - a 501c3 Charitable community foundation - this is the 21st anniversary of the event!
For those of you who did not know Bob (the “Mad” genius and the Voice of Ellicottville), Bob was a teacher of Special Ed students in Buffalo and a ski coach in Ellicottville, who made Ellicottville his permanent home after retirement. Bob touched the lives of so many people in Ellicottville, that he will surely never be forgotten. His unique events, like Celtic Thunder, Americana Folk Art & Music Fair, Farm Fest, The Great Snowboard Auction, Lawn Tractor races, and many more continue to be that of local lore.
His most recognized event, Irish Christmas, was created to provide funding for “Santa’s Workshop” - helping less fortunate families with a holiday dinner and gifts at Christmas time. After his passing in June of 2016, the Foundation renamed this wonderful evening, “Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas.” This great party now provides the bulk of the funding for his namesake’s foundation as well as Santa’s Workshop, while also supporting the Santa Sheriff program and Ellicottville Central School’s “Shop with a Cop” program. The Bob McCarthy Foundation focuses year round on providing a “quiet helping hand” to support local families’ needs by providing funding for individuals and community programs.
This great party has always been a great kickoff to the holiday season, and this year’s will be bigger and better than ever! It will be an evening to remember with great up-tempo Irish music provided by Krikwater while you mingle with many old and new friends. The incredible Live, Silent, and Basket Auctions have something to fit everyone’s budget and can help you get some Christmas shopping done. Admission to Irish Christmas is FREE, with beer and wine available at the bargain price of $5, thanks to the generosity of EBC and the Winery of Ellicottville. Again this year, The Taste of Ireland is presented by many local restaurants who will fill your tummy and tempt your taste buds with a fabulous Irish dinner for only $5.
The Live Auction, with auctioneer Brooks LeFeber, is the main spectacle of the evening with a limited number of unique auction items accompanied by a baked pie or cake from Ellicottville’s renowned bakers. An exciting Silent Auction allows us to keep the Live Auction brief so you can enjoy the music and all of your friends!
For those who want to help and are looking for unique gifts, the Basket Auction is for you! Over 40 baskets will be available to win with 20 tickets for $25 including a ticket for many door prizes. This is possible through kind donations from local businesses. If you are a business or individual who would like to donate a basket, contact Brooke Rogers at 716-244-7752 or any Bob McCarthy Foundation committee member; you can find the list, along with additional information about the foundation and its mission, at bobmccarthyfoundation.com.