INDIANAPOLIS — Indy’s Irish Fest returns to Military Park Sept. 12-15 for its 18th annual celebration of the state’s Celtic heritage. This year’s festival will kick off with a preview night Thurs., Sept. 12 featuring Celtic rock bands from 4:30-10:30 p.m. (gate admission $5, no pre-sale tickets). The evening’s entertainment will feature Mother Grove, the Kreellers, and the Fighting Jamesons.
More than 30,000 people are expected over the four day festival, which highlights live Irish music and step dancing on four stages, as well as shopping, food, cultural and children’s activities, sporting events, and much more.
The full festival begins on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and runs to 11 p.m. Saturday hours are the same, and Sunday the grounds will be open from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sunday, there will be a Celtic Mass at the Claddagh Irish Pub stage. Visitors attending Mass or arriving prior to 11 a.m. will receive free admission if they bring at least three canned goods per person to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. Tickets are $10 advance sale, or $15 at the gate, with weekend passes available. Marsh locations, Claddagh Irish Pubs, and O’Brien Auto Family dealerships will be selling advance tickets, or visit IndyIrishFest.com to order online.
Traditional Celtic music, step dancing, and Celtic rock by groups from around the world will be on hand to entertain the crowds. Returning crowd favorites the Elders and the Fenians, and local bands such as Hogeye Navvy, Indianapolis Ceili Band, the Irish Airs, and the Lathans. Other returning performers include Ennis, Evans and Doherty, Tom Sweeney, and the Kells. New to the festival line-up are Hounds of Finn and Tallymoore.
Young and older visitors alike will enjoy plenty of family-friendly activities during Fest weekend. Throughout the event, the whole family can enjoy sheep-herding exhibitions, stop by the Celtic Canine tents to see Irish breeds such as the Irish Glen of Imaal Terriers, Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, and more.
Shoppers will find plenty of Celtic wares at an Irish market, and hungry visitors can choose from traditional Irish classic fare such as Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and much more.
Youngsters should make a beeline to the Kid’s Area, featuring a craft tent, storytelling, a coloring contest, Irish dance lessons, and more. Wristbands are available for $5, which will admit children to a special area complete with a Blarney Castle moonwalk, a putt-and-go, an Olympic run, a beanbag toss, and other fun activities. On Sunday, kids compete for the reddest hair, greenest eyes, and most freckles. The Kid’s Area is open from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, visit IndyIrishFest.com or call the Information Line at 317-713-7117.
