WEBER CITY, Va. (WJHL) — The Weber City Volunteer Fire Department (WCVFD) is hosting an Irish Festival on March 15 from noon to 6 p.m. at the location of a new meeting and event venue, which is just one facet of the department’s three-year-long and counting fire hall relocation project.

The department said in a release it purchased an old, vacant building at 1680 US Hwy. 23 N to serve as its new fire hall three years ago, and the location has been undergoing extensive renovation since.

“The building was empty for 20 years and requires full renovation such as complete rewiring, for example, due to theft of the existing copper wiring,” the release states.

The relocation project is the result of a need for safety and modernity at Weber City VFD’s current fire hall, which the department said is on a steep hill, outdated and unable to accommodate any expansion. The steep location of the current fire hall poses a danger to responders and community members during inclement weather, the release added.

The new fire hall will feature an American Red Cross emergency shelter on-site, along with the now-completed meeting and event space.

The release from the department said the future fire hall’s new event space will be the site of the March 15 Irish Festival, as it was the first portion of the project completed. The release states the venue space at the facility was “constructed through donations of time and resources by individuals and area businesses.”

The Weber City VFD described its upcoming Irish Festival as a family-friendly introduction of the new venue space to community members–and a chance to honor first responders in the region. “The success of this event will be a launching pad for the venue and our ongoing fundraising efforts,” the release states.

The Irish Festival will feature four bluegrass, country and gospel bands, according to the release. Green lemonade and punch, as well as popcorn, will be available for visitors. A food truck will also be on-site. Marsh Regional Blood Center will accept blood donors in an adjoining Holston Medical Group parking area.

The department said it plans to host more events in that space soon to generate revenue to support the rest of the fire hall relocation project. One priority task yet to be completed includes building a firewall between the venue and the actual fire station, offices and truck bays.

The event is free to the public. The Weber City VFD is also asking community members for help in decorating the event space with as many green and shamrock-inspired items as possible beforehand. Anyone with spare lights, streamers, etc. is encouraged to contact David Stokes at 423-534-1483 to contribute to the festival’s success.

“Building on the success of this launch event we plan to host music groups and performers on a regular basis in the new WCVFD Sound Stage and Community Center,” the release states.

Those wishing to contribute to the ongoing fire hall relocation project can contact Fire Chief Bruce Cross at 423-782-8389. Contribution checks can be made to WCVFD and can be mailed to 2706 US Hwy 23N, Weber City, VA 24290.