LEWISTON — People of all ages are invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by kicking up their heels at an Irish dance party Saturday, March 17, at the Lewiston Public Library.

The free event will feature a lively mix of Celtic jigs and reels performed by a multigenerational ensemble gathered especially for the occasion. Dubbed The Sizzling Shamrocques, the group features bodhran, a traditional Irish hand drum, as well as fiddles, guitar and piano.

Veteran Irish dance teacher Jeannette Gross will offer instruction in fun and easy Irish “ceili” dances (barn dances), which can be mastered by children as young as 5 when partnered with an adult.

No prior dance experience is needed to participate. “It’s more about having fun than mastering a skill,” Gross said.

“This type of dancing and the music that goes with it is very closely related to the old-time French-Canadian jigs-and-reels tradition so members of our Franco-American community are sure to enjoy themselves, as is anyone else who appreciates lively fiddle music and a chance to celebrate with others, young and old,” said Cindy Larock, who organized the event.

As a tribute to St. Patrick, all attendees of Irish heritage, and anyone wearing green, will be invited to enter a prize drawing.

The dance party will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in Callahan Hall on the third floor of the library at 200 Lisbon St. Parking around the library is free on Saturday. For more information, call Larock at 782-0386 or LPL at 513-3135.

After the dance, the musicians will give a 4 p.m. concert of Celtic music at Schooner Estates, 200 Stetson Road, Auburn. The one-hour program featuring the full ensemble as well as duos and trios, is open to the public, free of charge. For more information, call 784-2900.