As many of you are already aware, there will not be a Fairfield County Irish Festival in 2009. Five months after the Committee requested a budget, a Trumbull official presented us in late January with non-negotiable figures for Parks fees and Police costs. The Police bill, which had risen as much as $10000 in four years was to increase another 7% this year. The Parks Commission determined that the entire 131,000 square feet of the Indian Ledge Park field would be remediated after the Festival at a cost of 9 cents per square foot plus the grass parking area for a total of $12000, a 350% increase over 2008. Those costs in the current economic climate influenced the decision to look for another venue.

     A great deal of time and effort was put into locating a 'new' home for the Festival so that it could continue to be the premier Irish Festival in the region. Although the Town of Fairfield has been very welcoming, the late notice and the conflicts with already scheduled events worked against us for 2009. We are currently negotiating for a site for the 22nd Fairfield County Irish Festival in 2010.