The Milwaukee Irish Fest is set to kick-off its festivities on Aug. 13th, and continue through the evening of Aug. 16th. Located at the Henry H. Maier Festival Park on the Milwaukee lakefront, Irish Fest boasts 10 performance stages, hundreds of vendors featuring bits and bobs from the Emerald Isle, and food that will bring you “back home” to green landscape of Ireland.
The festival includes a few marquee events. The Kilfenora Ceili Band is celebrating their 100th birthday, and will have a special jam session for all those in attendance. Gaelic Storm will be celebrating their 10th anniversary, an absolute must-see for any festival goer. What would Irish Fest be without the wonderful pints and flavorful Irish liquor? The Jameson Lounge will feature participatory tasting, an overview of the whiskey’s history by the Jameson Ambassador, and an all-day pub to feature the best of all brews from Ireland.
This year’s Sunday mass is scheduled for 9:30am at the Marcus Amphitheater. Irish Fest’s Sunday mass is one of the largest outdoor masses in the United States. This year’s special guest who will offer a unique spiritual touch to the mass, is The Most Reverend Anthony Farquhar, Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor in Northern Ireland. Donations of a non-perishable food before the mass, will allow you to enter free of charge.
Lastly, before you bid the festival farewell, take a gander at the many trinkets and specialty items offered in the Cultural Village and the Moore Street Market. Books, sheet music, CD’s, crystal, and much more; will make sure you don’t leave Milwaukee Irish Fest empty handed.
