Festival Focus 2019 ~ Last Chance to Festify this Year!
- John O'Brien
- September 2, 2019
- Edited 6 months ago
Table of Contents
Festival Focus 2019 ~ Last Chance to Festify this Year!
by John O’Brien, Jr.
29thAnnual Pittsburgh Irish Festival
September 6–8
Every year during the weekend after Labor Day, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival is celebrated! The Pittsburgh Irish Festival is one of the United States’ largest Celtic Celebrations and welcomes guests from all over the country as well as Canada and Ireland.
This year, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival will feature live music and dance on four stages, an Irish Marketplace with 40+ vendors, traditional Celtic cuisine and beverages, dogs native to Ireland, Genealogy pavilion, children’s crafts and games, Ancient Celtic Axe Throwing, cultural displays and demonstrations, and so much more!
The headlining acts include The Screaming Orphans, JigJam, Eileen Ivers, Scythian, Makem & Clancy, Bastard Bearded Irishman, Colm Keegan, The Steam Trio ft. Katie Grennan, Doolin’, Dennis Doyle, Donnie Irish, Corned Beef & Curry, The Wild Geese, five local Irish dance schools, and many more regional and local performers!
20thAnnual Michigan Irish Music Festival
September 12 – 15
Featuring: Gaelic Storm, High Kings, Aoife Scott, One for the Foxes, JigJam, Doolin’, Pigeon Kings, The Drowsy Lads, Connla, Conifers, and much more on seven covered stages. The festival kicks off Thursday, Sept. 12 with its Pub Preview Party featuring food, beverages and three bands in the pub tent only. The full festival begins Friday.
In addition to live music, the Celtic Kitchen and beverage stations serve authentic Irish food and beverages. The Tea Room has non-alcoholic choices and treats in a relaxed atmosphere. Other activities include the Irish Market and Irish Store, children’s activities, a cultural center and a session tent. Saturday, FEIS, an Irish dance competition, and the Highland Games are held. Sunday, a Catholic mass at 9 a.m. will be followed by a traditional Irish breakfast. Celtic Canines, where patrons meet and learn about Irish dog breeds, also is Sunday.
In addition to live music, the Celtic Kitchen and beverage stations serve authentic Irish food and beverages, including Pigeon Hill Brewing Company’s MI Irish Stout, Irish cream, Magner’s Irish Cider, Irish whiskey, wine, local craft beer, and Budweiser products.
The Tea Room provides non-alcoholic choices and treats in a relaxed atmosphere. Other festival activities include the Irish Market and the Irish Store, children’s activities, a cultural center, and a session tent, The Highland Games. The FEIS, an Irish dance competition. A Catholic mass will be held at 9AM, Sunday, followed by a traditional Irish breakfast. Celtic Canines is back at the festival on Sunday.
Advance tickets and festival passes are available online. Patrons can save $5 per ticket versus the gate price when they buy online. The festival offers an Early-In Free promotion on Friday only from 5-6PM sponsored by Family Financial Credit Union. For complete festival information, visit www.michiganirish.org. Additional bands will be announced on the website. Located at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon.
24thAnnual Indy Irish Fest
September 13-15
As one of the largest cultural music festivals in the state, Indy Irish Fest is excited to welcome a variety of new international and national talent to Indy this year, spanning a mix of genres. Highlights include: The High Kings, Pappy with a Hatchet, The Irish Music All Stars, Runa, Boxing Banjo. The Fenians, Billow Wood, The Fighting Jamesons, The Irish Aires, The Indianapolis Ceili Band, & More!
In addition to the vibrant music, the festival includes an Irish Market with 25+ vendors selling Irish wares including Irish jewelry, wool sweaters and art. Cultural exhibits include information on the 1916 Easter Rising, Celtic Saints, the Irish of Indianapolis, celebrations and customs; sheep herding exhibitions, meet Irish dog breeds; learn from the Indianapolis Gaelic Athletic Association, as well as some area rugby teams about each sport; and don’t miss the Kilted Mile on Sunday! The Wee Folks area features a craft tent, storytelling, coloring contest, and face painting, a presentation & hands-on activities by Silly Safari, The Fairy of the Norsey Woods magic.
Celtic Mass is Sunday @10:30 a.m. Gates open @10 a.m. Visit IndyIrishFest.com or call (317) 713-7117.
Ohio Celtic Fest
September 20-22
Featuring: New Barleycorn, Clancy & Makem, American Rogues, Off Kilter, Padriag Stevens & Leo Moran, Screaming Orphans and more.
This is our first year in Mentor and it’s beautiful state of the art amphitheater. We’ll also have two additional stages plus a children’s stage, and an excellent lineup of music, song and dance for the whole family to enjoy. Check our website at ohiocelticfest.com for all our information.
