INDIANAPOLIS — Indy’s Irish Fest returns to Military Park Sept. 15-18 for its 21st annual celebration of the state’s Irish heritage. This year’s festival incorporates commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, Ireland and a nod to the history of traditional music. The preview pub concert night is returning, featuring two Celtic rock bands on Thursday, and for the first time ever, will include free admission! Thursday night’s bands include Indy festival newcomer, Whiskey of the Damned and the return of a fan favorite, The Fighting Jamesons. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods for the food bank.
More than 30,000 people are expected over the four-day festival, which features live Irish music and step dancing on four stages, as well as shopping, food, cultural and children’s activities, sporting events and more. Frequent fest goers will see the return of Off Kilter, a fan favorite from Epcot Center. New-to-Indy acts include, the Led Farmers, a folk band hailing from Ireland. Also this year we will see performances by Gailfean, a brilliant group of trad musicians with the likes of All Ireland champions, John Whelan, seven times button box champion, fiddler, Brian Conway, storyteller, Máírtín De Cógain as well as Don Penzien on keyboards. Ireland’s Bard, Tom Sweeney will be performing, as will Brian Doherty and Kevin Evans out of Nova Scotia. The three will team up to present a special tribute to the 1916 events. Also new to Indy Irish Fest is a Celtic rock group, Chance the Arm.
Indy Irish Fest is adding some great options for the weekend. Local favorites New Day Meadery will be onsite and for those craft beer lovers, Sun King Brewery will be joining the fest as the official craft beer provider — and pints of their Irish Stout, Ring of Dingle, brewed especially for the fest, will be available for purchase. Also new this year, will be the Tullamore Dew Snug. Fest patrons will be able to purchase Tullamore Dew and Gingers or Irish coffee at the Tullamore bar.
The festival continues to be a great bargain with advance sale tickets only $10, a 33 percent savings off the gate price. At the gate, attendees can save money with the festival’s early bird $5 admission from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, September 17th, or Sunday morning, the 19th, with donations to the area food bank.
Visit www.indyirishfest.com for more information.
