INDIANAPOLIS — Indy’s Irish Fest returns to Military Park Sept. 11-14 for its 19th annual celebration of the state’s Celtic heritage. This year’s festival kicks-off with a “pub night” featuring three Celtic rock bands on Thursday for only a $5 gate admission. The evening’s entertainment features Celtic rock bands Kevin Flynn & the Avondale Ramblers, The Bastard Bearded Irishmen, and The Fighting Jamesons.
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. Returning crowd favorites, The Elders, and groups new to Indianapolis, like Burning Bridget Cleary, will highlight weekend entertainment. Other returning performers to the festival include: Hounds of Finn, Tallymoore, Tom Sweeney and The Kells.
Young and older visitors alike will enjoy plenty of family friendly activities during Fest weekend. Throughout the weekend, the whole family can enjoy sheep-herding exhibitions or stop by the Celtic Canine tents to see dogs representing Irish breeds, such as Irish Glen of Imaal Terriers, Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Red and White Setters and Kerry Blue Terriers. Silly Safari will be on hand on Sunday afternoon from 1-3 p.m.
The festival also continues to be a great bargain with advance sale tickets only $10. Advance sale tickets are available at Marsh Supermarkets and Claddagh Irish Pubs. In addition to Marsh locations, advance sale tickets at the $10 rate will be available at www.IndyIrishFest.com. At the gate, attendees can save money with the festival’s early bird $5 admission from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, September 12, or Sunday morning, the 14th, with donations to the food bank.
Festival hours are 4:30-10:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 ($5 Gate Admission; no pre-sale tickets), 4:30-11:00 p.m. on Sept. 13 ($5 Early Bird Admission: 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.), 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sept. 15 (Early Bird Free Admission: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. with three canned goods per person benefiting St. Vincent DePaul food bank).
For more information, visit www.indyirishfest.com or call the Indy’s Irish Fest Information Line at (317) 713-7117.
