As the trees turn bare and the days grow shorter, the town of Ellicottville shifts into winter mode. Boots are broken out, summer tires are replaced, and calendars begin to fill with a plethora of holiday traditions unique to the area. Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas, a seasonal highlight, is a hallmark of Ellicottville generosity and compassion. Hosted by the Bob McCarthy Foundation, the event serves to raise funds for Santa’s Workshop and the Cattaraugus County Sheriffs’ Santa Program as well as year-round family support.
McCarthy, a master craftsman, the voice of Ellicottville and a friend to all was a passionate philanthropist, is honored each year by the community togetherness embodied by Irish Christmas. The auctioning of baked goods, hand-crafted items, and neat finds from local businesses allow both Santa’s Workshop and the Sheriff’s Santa Program to provide holiday presents and meals to local families in need.
In our 18th year Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas will be held at EBC’s Brew Hall on Friday December 1st at 6:00 PM. This venue offers plenty of room for the expected crowd but get there early so you don’t miss a single moment of the fun. Admission is of course free!
The Irish Christmas live auction features 15 unique live auction pieces along with a budget friendly basket raffle of more than 40 locally donated gift baskets offering great gifts for those lucky winners.
Among the treasures are, believe it or not, some Bob McCarthy woodworking originals and special creations from Ed Frederickson, Hughey Dunn & others. You will be able to get a glimpse of auction items on our website and there will be a descriptive program at the event. All auction items are accompanied by a home-made baked item by the legion of local home chefs who bake away to help this unique auction every year
The auction itself will take place on at around 7 PM in the new beer hall at EBC. hosted by Brooks Lefeber with commentary from his many helpers. We guarantee there will be a bidding frenzy this year on a very special and unique Bob creation that was discovered and donated to the auction.
Enjoy great live entertainment by Buffalo’s Crikwater before and after the auction – the band starts at 6:00 PM so come early. This community friendly event also has special $5 pricing on all beer & wine thanks to the generosity of EBC. The Taste of Ireland food specials are priced at $5 as EVL’s finest restaurants show their support of the event. So, food and drink at this outstanding event will not make a dent in your holiday budget.
If you have never attended this great party you are missing what most describe as the best party in Ellicottville. This is a great way to kick off the Christmas season, enjoying a cocktail with your friends
The Foundation hopes that Ellicottville will open its heart again so if you cannot attend you can donate at www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com/donate or via the mail at McCarthy Foundation, PO Box 301, Ellicottville, NY 14731. A little goes a long way!
If you would like to bake an item for the auction, contact Katy Arena of Katy’s Café at 716-801-2740 by Thursday, November 23rd. If you would like to donate a basket for the basket raffle contact Brooke Szpaicher at 716-244-7752.