Green Comes Early

Irish eyes will be smiling when the 34th Annual Forever Green settles on Navy Pier in support of Chicago charities

CHICAGO, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ —

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080205/NYTU025)

When: March 6, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Where: Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave.

Who: Anyone 21 and older, and you don’t have to be Irish

What: Some local musical acts will liven up the Irish faithful a little early this year at Chicago’s largest St. Patrick’s Day bash and charitable event. Back for the 34th year, the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago’s annual Forever Green party will be held on March 6 in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier with special guests, the Larkin and Moran Brothers, the Weber Band, the Shannon Rovers and more.

After a cold and blustery winter, the festive scene at Navy Pier is sure to sway folks into a green mood early this year in advance of Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parades, while supporting two local charities.

The 34th edition of the annual March celebration will raise money and awareness for the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation, which fights pediatric brain tumors, and AAction Autism, which supports international humanitarian efforts confronting autism.

Besides contributing to two Chicago area charities, Forever Green will also feature live performances from the Chicago bands and performances from Irish dance troupes.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $40 or at the door for $45. VIP tickets will also be available for $60 in advance and $65 at the door.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.youngirish.com.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is once again proud to sponsor the Michael Collins VIP Lounge during the Forever Green celebration. Michael Collins also salutes the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago and its efforts to promote Irish cultural activities as they embrace their heroic spirit through their involvement with AAction Autism and The Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are the dawning of a new age of Irish Whiskey; combining the best of Ireland’s long history of distilling with today’s demand for premium quality and unique style. Double distilled to retain the flavor characteristics of their premium ingredients and aged in small bourbon season casks, Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are refined, flavorful and well-balanced. Michael Collins Single Malt is bold and distinctive, with complex characteristics and a hint of peat. Enjoy Michael Collins Single Malt neat. Michael Collins Blend can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, as well as in classic and contemporary cocktails.

Liven up your St. Patrick’s Day with some delicious Michael Collins Irish Whiskey cocktails! The Dublin Apple will be one of the many drinks featured at the Michael Collins VIP lounge during The Young Irish Fellowship Club’s Forever Green celebration.

                                 Dublin Apple

                            2 parts Michael Collins Blend
                              1 part sour apple schnapps
                            2 parts top with cranberry juice
                    Shake the ingredients well over ice in a cocktail shaker
                              and pour into a rocks glass.
                          Garnish with a green apple slice.

• About Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago

The Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago (YIFC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer-based organization inviting people of all ethnic backgrounds to explore Irish culture, meet new friends in the community, and help support Chicago area charities. The YIFC shares its mission by hosting regular events for an ever-increasing membership throughout the Chicago area while targeting activities and developing an infrastructure that allows the organization to raise over $50,000 in charitable funds each year. For more than 25 years, the YIFC has raised money through planned events and given the proceeds to local charities. These events include the largest St. Patrick’s Day party in Chicago and area cultural events and social gatherings. The YIFC has also raised awareness of the charities they serve and organized volunteer efforts to assist them. The YIFC is an entirely volunteer driven organization with limited overhead, with well over 90 percent of proceeds going directly towards the charities they serve. While promoting the Irish culture with events, the club is open to all people of every ethnic origin. For more information, visit www.youngirish.com.

• About AAction Autism

AAction Autism is a humanitarian organization dedicated to helping build environments nationally and internationally, in which people with autism are identified, accepted, and supported. Its vision is to make a three to five year commitment to countries with little to no resources for individuals with autism. AACTION Autism’s volunteer network of autism professionals provides training and education to doctors, diagnosticians, parents and educators struggling with autism. For more information, visit www.aactionautism.org.

• About the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation

The Maeve McNicholas Foundation was founded by Matt and Denise McNicholas in 2005 in honor of their daughter Maeve, who was 26 months old when she died in July 2004 as a result of a brain tumor that was diagnosed less than 36 hours before. The mission of Maeve’s Foundation is to assist and fund programs and hospitals to increase public awareness about the severity and prevalence of childhood brain tumors; aid in early detection of childhood brain tumors by increasing awareness of symptoms; help to find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors through the support of medical research and help support families with children living with brain tumors. For more information, visit www.maevesfoundation.org.

• About Michael Collins

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is imported by Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc. of New Rochelle, NY who encourages all those 21 and over to drink responsibly. For more information, visit www.michaelcollinswhiskey.com

• About Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc.

Founded in 1972, Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc. of New Rochelle, NY is the creator and importer of ultra-premium spirits. Our growing portfolio includes Jagermeister Liqueur from Germany, the best-selling liqueur in the United States; Gekkeikan Sake from Japan; Michael Collins Irish Whiskey; Jacques Cardin Cognac VSOP; and Tommy Bahama Rum. For more information, visit www.sidneyfrank.com.

    Contact: Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago
    Bridget Gilman (708) 710-9843, bag13msu@yahoo.com
    Patrick Thomas (773) 330-8318, p_thomas81@yahoo.com

    Contact: Michael Collins Irish Whiskey
    Lauren Moore (914) 637-5895, lmoore@sidneyfrank.com

SOURCE Michael Collins Irish Whiskey