The 16th FANtastic Festival Focus Issue Has Returned!
- John O'Brien
- May 4, 2023
- Edited 5 months ago
Table of Contents
13th Motor City Irish Fest
June 9-11
Featuring 20 bands/performers playing Irish and Celtic music in two tents, including Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, and The Gobshites.
The family-friendly event features a Cultural Tent exploring the history and culture of Ireland, and activities such as traditional Irish dancing featuring six local Irish Dance Schools. Also offered are dancing lessons, Irish football demonstrations, Pipe Bands, a .001-K Run, a Kid’s Tent, vendors of Irish and Irish-themed goods and clothing, beer stations, and whiskey tastings. Festival hours are Friday – 5 – 11 pm, Saturday – Noon – 11 pm, Sunday – Noon Mass, Festival from 1 – 7 pm. Greenmead Historic Park in Livonia, MI.
To purchase tickets, and for directions and lodging information, visit motorcityirishfest.com.
29th Riverfront Irish Festival
June 9-11
MARYS LANE, BRIGID’S CROSS, THE NEW BARLEYCORN, WESTSIDE STEVE, DULAHAN, CALLAHAN & O’CONNOR, CASE & CAIRDE, CELTIC RUSH, MICHAEL DARCY AND THE ATLANTIC TRAMPS, POEHEMIA, ON THE LASH, THE LOW KINGS, MINSTRELS GRĒN AND EMIGRANT’S WAKE.
IRISH STEP-DANCERS MACCONMARA ACADEMY; BAGPIPERS CELTIC EAGLE PIPE BAND AND THE RED HACKLE PIPE AND DRUM; VENDORS AND FOOD, OUTDOOR MASS AT 11:00 A.M. REVEREND THOMAS MCCANN, RETIRED CHAPLAIN, WILL BE THE MAIN CELEBRANT. ALL ARE WELCOME.
CRAFT BREWERIES AKRONYM, HIHO, IGNITE, MCARTHUR’S, MISSING FALLS, AND MISSING MOUNTAIN; FOREVER CRAFT URBAN WINERY; PLUS A WHISKEY TASTING STATION, FEATURING JAMESON AND TULLAMORE D.E.W. FROM IRELAND, AND LOCAL TOWPATH DISTILLERY BOURBON.
FREE ADMISSION AND FREE PARKING IN CITY DECKS. FOOD, BEVERAGE, IRISH ITEMS AND CRAFTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. YOU NEED NOT BE IRISH TO ENJOY THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVAL!
HTTP://RIVERFRONTIRISHFEST.ORG/ FACEBOOK: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RIVERFRONT-IRISH-FESTIVAL-CUYAHOGA-FALLS-OHIO-89250107183/
21st Penn-Mar Irish Festival
June 17
Featuring: Eileen Ivers, Arise & Go, Cas Ceol, Enda Reilly, Screaming Orphans, Steel City Rovers, Susquehanna Pipes & Drums, McGinley School of Irish Dance, NiRiain School of Irish Dance, and Oh! Gills Irish Dancers. The children’s area will again offer free crafts, games, face painting, bounce houses, bubbles, and more.
Some festival seating is provided, lawn chairs & blankets welcome. No pets or outside food or beverages.
New to the festival this year: an Irish Stout from a Maryland brewer and an Irish Red Ale from a York County, Pennsylvania, brewer. The fest is proud to be working with local brewers this year and will be participating in Explore York’s annual Have It Made Here Event, a week-long celebration taking place all over York County. Five Farms Irish Cream will also be available in the whiskey tent this year.
This volunteer-run community celebration of Irish heritage features traditional and contemporary live Irish music, dance groups, cultural talks and living history exhibits, Irish food, a children’s area, and a variety of vendors offering Irish goods, including gifts, clothing, jewelry, music, books, pottery, photography, stained glass, and more.
The Markets at Shrewsbury 12025 Susquehanna Trail, Glen Rock, PA 17327 (in southern York County off I-83 between exits 4 and 8). Parking, shuttle bus service provided at nearby location (look for signs). Accessible parking is available on-site.
For discounted advance festival tickets and complete details, please visit PennMarIrishFestival.com, follow updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (#PennMarIrish).
Marketing and volunteer opportunities are still available in support of the festival. Festival host hotel link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/vhxlx3
Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
June 23 – 24
The Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds June 23-24. New in 2023 is live, competitive jousting along with other major events such as Friday night’s Calling of the Clans event, Saturday’s Grand Parade, and Saturday evening Tattoo.
Bagpipe band, highland athletic, highland dance, fiddle, harp and Irish music competitions will be held throughout the two-day event.
Featuring: Seven Nations; The Prodigals; Father, Son & Friends; New Barleycorn; The Kilroy Ceili Band; Andrew McManus Trio; Eimear & Eileen; McNamara & Custy; Mad Maudlin; Water Horse; Alastair and Karen; Geordie Symes Pirates Small Pipe Session Group; Royal Scottish Country Dance; Leneghan School of Irish Dance and Brady-Campbell School of Irish Dance.
In addition to jousting, the Renaissance Village will feature demonstrations by Barony of the Cleftlands group, with full armored combat, fencing, fine arts, dance, and baroque music.
Gate Tickets as well as tickets to the VIP area and Whisky Tasting event are on sale at www.ohioscottishgames.com
38th Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
July 14-16, 2023
Featuring: The High Kings, Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfetones, The Bow Tides, The Fitzgerald’s, The Byrne Brothers, The Prodigals, Brigid’s Cross, Mary’s Lane, James Kilbane, The Elders, Ballinloch & More.
Plus: Cultural and Children’s areas, Sports, Great food, beverage and treats. clevelandirish.org
35th Dublin Irish Fest
August 4 – 6, 2023
More than 100,000 guests enjoy seven music stages, 65 acts, and more than 535 performers. There is truly something for everyone.
Featuring: Dervish, String Sisters, Old Blind Dogs, Gaelic Storm, Socks in the Frying Pan, Goitse, Talisk, Sliabh Notes, JigJam, Red Hot Chili Pipers, Young Dubliners, Scythian, Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards, Three Flew West, Drowsy Lads, The Fitzgeralds & Tempest.
More than 90 vendors with T-shirts, hats, and jewelry, along with kilts, photos and paintings of Ireland and a wide variety of glass and crystal items. Plus, more than 30 food vendors.
Discover the richness of Irish history and culture by tracing your roots in the Genealogy tent, meet authors, and hear literary and historical presentations. Enjoy hands-on fun at the Music and Workshop stages and visiting musical instrument crafters, learning to play the tin whistle, fiddle, flute, and harp.
Meet Irish breeds and their owners at the Celtic Canine area. Children have their own area at the festival featuring crafts and games. In addition, they can visit the Wee Folk Stage, which features entertainment including storytellers, music and dance for the younger crowd.
Save a little green: purchase tickets now. Save $10 when you purchase a weekend pass online or purchase a one-day ticket online and save $5. Children ages 10 & under are free. Seniors (60+), military and student guests can purchase a ticket online or at the festival for $20 (I.D. required at the festival). For more info: DublinIrishFestival.org, and follow the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Lakewood Arts Festival
August 6
Lakewood Arts Festival closes Detroit Avenue, between Belle to Arthur Avenues, to bring artists of all disciplines together, along with 15,000 collectors and art lovers. The juried festival hosts over 170 regional and national artists and makers displaying paintings, prints, photography, art glass, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, fiber and more.
EAT ON THE STREET food court in front of the Lakewood Library on Detroit will offer a selection of the region’s best food trucks.
Festival proceeds fund an annual scholarship for Lakewood seniors continuing to art school. After the Festival, the Board will present $4,000 to the 2023 recipient. The event also funds grants for arts education and programming in the city. Recent awardees include H2O (Help to Others, middle-school students), The Barton Center (senior arts activities), The Beck Center for the Arts (Saturday programs) and Lakewood High School Art, Theater and Photography programs.
For more info: www.lakewoodartsfest.org.
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
September 8-10
Gaelic Storm, The Screaming Orphans, RUNA, Enda Reilly, Eileen Ivers, The Brigideens, Ally the Piper, The Bow Tides, Bastard Bearded Irishman, Ryan Young, The Low Kings, Donnie Irish, and The Wild Geese, and more who will all be headlining acts on various evenings and stages. Coming back for the third time after being a smashing a success at the past two Festivals is The Real Irish Comedy Tour who will be performing on Friday and Saturday night of the Fest.
Returning this year, a fifth stage presented by Five Farms Irish Cream where visitors can watch both professional and amateur bakers and chefs demonstrate the process of cooking and baking some delightful treats, most of which will feature Five Farms!
Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Tickets are now available now. The complete 2023 Festival line-up, band bios, photos, and ticketing links can be found at pghirishfest.org.
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
September 14 -17
The Michigan Irish Music Festival returns for four days of outstanding live music, culture, Irish food, beverages, shopping, and entertainment. MIMF is pleased to announce that Slide, Eileen Ivers, Slide, Sharon Shannon, Socks in the Frying Pan, One for the Foxes, Paddy Keenan, Malinda, Tossers, The Moxie Strings, Tallymoore, Colm & Laura Keegan, Blackthorn, Ian Gould, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Brother Crowe, Conklin Ceili Band, Black Murray, Enda Reilly, Crossbow, Ruth & Max Bloomquist, Barley Saints, Uneven Ground, Chelsea House Orchestra, Toby Bresnahan, Ardan Academy of Dance, and The Mona Shores Fiddlers
and Doolin’ will be performing at the festival, and the return of Seamus Kennedy!
Look for exciting changes and new activities at Irish Fest 2023. Continued improvements and a larger stage are on tap at the Grafton Street Area. Whiskey service will be available at our three main bars wirth craft cocktail options, and an expanded craft beer area. MIMF will feature two cultural stages and the Irish Store and Marketplace return for great “shopportunities.” Wee Ones’ activities will be available, as well as a variety of food and Irish fare in our Celtic Kitchen. On Sunday, Catholic mass will be held at 11 a.m.
The Michigan Irish Music Festival will showcase over 25 musical acts on multiple covered stages, on the shores of Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon. MIMF is offering discounted pricing on single-day tickets and four-day passes when purchased online. (Children 12 and under remain free.)
Advance tickets and passes for the Michigan Irish Music Festival will be available online starting in May. Stay tuned to the MIMF social media pages and website – www.michiganirish.org – for updates.
