More than 500 people celebrated the Irish tradition at Highland Hospital's Seventh Annual Gala Saturday.

Mayor Tom Richards and his wife received the hospital's highest honor. The Highland Foundation Heritage Award is given in recognition of organizations and people who play important roles in Highland and the community.

The Irish-themed event featured Irish dancing, and performances by the Dady Brothers and the Skycoasters.

"The Highland Gala is really the time where we invite everybody to certainly thank them for supporting Highland Hospital and to celebrate and appreciate everyone, and then certainly to ask for donations also to help our funding," said Cindy Becker, Highland Hospital Vice President.

The Gala benefits the Radiation Oncology Program at Highland Hospital,
which just launched a $2 million renovation project for patients who receive daily radiation cancer treatments.