The 15th annual St. Susan Center Basket Fair is scheduled for March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jamestown Community College Physical Education Complex. The event is a little earlier than usual, St. Susan Center Executive Director Jeff Smith said, due to how the Easter holiday fell this year. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

The 15th annual St. Susan Center Basket Fair is borrowing the luck of the Irish to help make their event that much more special this year.

The Basket Fair is slated for March 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jamestown Community College Physical Education Complex. The event is generally held a little later in the year, according to St. Susan Center Executive Director Jeff Smith, but the Easter holiday fell earlier this year. Smith said due to the rescheduling, the event will be held on St. Patrick’s Day and that will be the theme of the event.

“The theme this year is ‘Come find your pot of gold at the basket fair,'” Smith said.

There are expected to be more than 140 baskets at the event, including a stay at the Athenaem Hotel which includes meals and gate passes; gift certificates from local restaurants and businesses; soap baskets; tablets; tools; emojis; and many more. This year’s grandprizes include a “Pot Of Gold” of $500 in cash; a 55-inch Samsung Smart TV; and a pair of green kayaks with life vests. Music will be provided by Primetime DJ Services and St. Susan’s will again be operating the Comfort Cafe, offering favorites like pulled pork sandwiches, tossed salads with chicken, mac and cheese, potato soup and more.

Smith said the event draws a crowd of hundreds of people each year.

“Last year we had about 600 people,” he said. “We’re hoping to top that this year.”

Smith said the event is the center’s largest fundraiser of the year. For those who can’t make it to the event, Smith said there is an absentee ballot that can be obtained and returned with payment for tickets. The catalogue of baskets is online.

Basket tickets come in two packages: a 12-pack with two door prize tickets for $10 or 30 basket tickets with four door prize tickets for $20. Grand prize tickets are available for $10 each or three for $25.

Smith said the event is a “fun day” for a good cause. He said those who have never come should stop in to see the baskets and support the center.

This year, the kids’ corner with activities and games will be run by the Girl Scouts. The event is sponsored by Jamestown Awning Incorporated and Wegmans.

For more information, visit stsusancenter.org or call 664-2253.