Whom You Know: Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Returns to NYC on March 16, 2013 After its inaugural sold-out success in 2012, this alcohol-free celebration of all things Irish will again take place after the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. UPDATE: Jerry Moe, Vice President, National Director of Betty Ford Center’s Children’s Program, to receive the second annual Emerald Spirit Award Sober St. Patrick’s Day® to be part of the 2013 Belfast City St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Monday, March 4, 2013

Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Returns to NYC on March 16, 2013 After its inaugural sold-out success in 2012, this alcohol-free celebration of all things Irish will again take place after the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. UPDATE: Jerry Moe, Vice President, National Director of Betty Ford Center’s Children’s Program, to receive the second annual Emerald Spirit Award Sober St. Patrick’s Day® to be part of the 2013 Belfast City St. Patrick’s Day Festival

In one year, Sober St. Patrick’s Day® has established itself as a family friendly option for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Over the years, the holiday has become associated with binge drinking and public intoxication, which reinforces the stereotype of the “Drunken Irish.” This negative image alienates large segments of the community: families with young children, teens, senior citizens, members of the recovery community and many others who have stopped celebrating the day due to concerns about out-of-control behavior.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day® was created as a fresh alternative for those who want to celebrate the holiday in an alcohol-free atmosphere. The event, which is in its second year, was launched by award-winning TV producerWilliam Spencer Reilly, and features an entertainment lineup that includes world-class Irish musicians, dancers and comedians.

Last year, Sober St. Patrick’s Day® created the Emerald Spirit Award, a big-hearted, sober Irish initiative which recognizes individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication and devotion to improving the lives of family members of alcoholics and addicts. The award captures the generous heart of the Irish people, and is presented on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City at the annual Sober St. Patrick’s Day® party. This year, the Emerald Spirit Award will be presented to JERRY MOE, Vice President, National Director of the Betty Ford Center’s Children’s Programs. Moe is internationally known as an author, lecturer, and trainer on issues for young children from addicted families.

The success of last year’s event has drawn the attention of civic leaders across the Atlantic. This year, the Belfast City Council will incorporate the concept of Sober St. Patrick’s Day® into the Belfast City’s St. Patrick’s Day festival program. The Council issued a statement:

“Belfast City Council is delighted to be working with the Sober Saint Patrick's Day organisation for its 2013 St. Patrick's Day Festival. The great work of Sober Saint Patrick's Day highlights a fantastic way for Belfast's citizens and visitors to enjoy the 17th March. We wish the Sober Saint Patrick's Day every success for their events in New York and across the globe!”

Reilly welcomed the news that the Belfast City Council has embraced the concept of Sober St. Patrick’s Day®:

“I am very happy that Belfast City Council has decided to incorporate Sober St. Patrick’s Day® into this year's celebrations. This is an idea whose time has come -- a chance for Irishpeople all over the world to show that St. Patrick's Day is more than an excuse for binge drinking. It's an opportunity for us to change the way we define the holiday – particularly among young people – by having a rip-roaring party featuring great Irish entertainment.”

Some new additions to this year’s lineup of internationally-acclaimed performers, headed by JOHN WHELAN (eight-time All Ireland Champion Button Accordion player) and BRIAN CONWAY (five-time All Ireland Champion fiddle player) are County Cork-born folk singer DONIE CARROLL and the VERLIN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE. They will join stellar artists HALEY RICHARDSON (10-year-old Irish Fiddle Champion) and MALACHY McCOURT (author, actor and raconteur). Also scheduled to appear areFelix Dolan, Tara O’Grady, Marie Reilly, Fiona Conway, the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Danceplus special surprise celebrity guests and political leaders. George Heslin of Origin Theatre Company will serve as the MC. Two-time Tony Award nominee Peter Link will direct.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day®

Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 3 to 6 p.m. (Parade day in Manhattan)

at Regis High School (60 East 85th Street, NYC)

Tickets: $12 / person, includes light refreshments

For information and tickets visit www.soberstpatricksday.org

Sponsors for Sober St. Patrick’s Day® include: The O’Sullivan Children Foundation, PepsiCo, Caron Treatment Centers, Seabrook House, William C. Dowling Jr. Foundation, Tourism Ireland–The Gathering, Betty Ford Center, Hazelden, Northern Ireland Bureau, PRMA, NACoA, Father Martin’s Ashley, Freedom Institute, Inter-Care, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Creative Care Malibu, ATPA, Realization Center, Café Regular, New York Center for Living, NCADD, Bridge Back to Life, Inc. and individual donors Ruth Riddick, Sean Driscoll and Sis Wenger.

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