TYRONE — Irish eyes will be smiling and celebrating in Tyrone this weekend when the community takes to the downtown area to honor its Irish roots during the annual Irish Heritage Festival Friday through Sunday.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with the Lighting of the Shamrock at Hotel City Park. WTAJ news anchor John Clay will serve as Irish Ambassador for the weekend, and will lead the lighting ceremony.

Soup lovers can enjoy the Potato Soup Contest from 6 to 8 p.m. with selections from Colonial Courtyard, SouthernCare Hospice, Dance Fusion, Duncansville Police Chief Jim Ott of the Blair County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation and Epworth Manor. Participants can vote for their favorite soup and enjoy music by Kent Martin. Then they can walk across the street to the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library for its Blarney Family Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Clay will read Irish tales to the children during their storytime hour. Friday evening will end with fireworks at dusk.

Saturday morning begins with the Irish 5K, 10K and Gold Race sponsored by Joshua House. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., approximately 70 vendors will line the streets of the town.

A magic show performed by “A Magical Experience” of Chambersburg will entertain children of all ages from noon to 1 p.m. at Hotel City Park.

The “Luck of the Irish” Parade will begin moving through the streets of the downtown beginning at 2 p.m. Clay will serve as the parade marshal. During the parade, a total of about 3,500 white, orange and gree balloons will be released in the middle of the town.

The parade will feature the music of the Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps from Hanover. The Lancers also will present a concert at Hotel City Park following the parade.

The Tyrone-Snyder Public Library will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday for its Irish disply on history and heritage.

The library will hold its Irish rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The town will gather at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 7 p.m. Sunday for the Irish Spiritual Service.

For more information, contact the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce at 684-0736.