 | The Los Angeles County Irish Fair and Music Festival, March 7-8 at the Fairplex in Pomona, offers a place to escape the problems of the day and enjoy the best in Irish music song, dance and pageantry featuring over 2000 performers. |
Highlighting entertainment on eight stages are contemporary and traditional Irish band favorites The Dublin 4, Mulligans, Skelpin, Wrath of McGrath, Twilight Lords, Muses, Banshee in the Kitchen, Slugger O’Tool and Brandon O’Shae. Colorful dance groups appearing include the Royal Scottish Dancers, Cripple Creek Cloggers and McCartan Dancers. All shows are included with admission.
The 42nd Highlander Pipers lead the Irish Pride Parade each day at noon. Marchers will include costumed warriors, artisans and entertainers from Ancient Irish Village, one of the fair’s most popular attractions. The working village depicts Ireland of old and includes blacksmiths, craftsman tooling swords and leather goods, dress and hat makers, Celtic jewelry designers and stalls featuring an array of renaissance arts and crafts. Visitors can also see an exhibition of skill by an elite guard of village archers and street entertainment including strolling musicians, singers, magicians, poets and actors.
Family attractions include shows featuring story tellers Tru Thomas and Irish Monk, sheep herding demonstrations, Connamara Ponies, Celtic athletic events, children’s face painting and Leprechaun Kingdom. The Irish Marketplace offers a shopping adventure where you’ll find imported wool sweaters, scarf’s, hats, jewelry, arts, crafts and food items like teas, Irish breads, scones, cookies and other treats. Staff members at the Celtic Cultural Center will help visitors trace their heritage and assist those wishing to travel to Ireland and Scotland.
Food stalls will features corn beef sandwiches, bangers, giant turkey legs and American favorites like Pizza, hot dogs and burgers. Traditional corn beef and cabbage are among entrees on the menu at the Fine Dinning Pavilion where harpist Catherine The Bard and Michele will entertain diners.
Due to the soft economy, admission to the Irish Fair has been reduced from $18 to $16 for adults, seniors and military $14 and 11and under free. Two day passes are available for $26. Fair hours are 10am to 6pm daily. The Fairplex is located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave in Pomona. For more information call 310-537-4240 or visit the website: la-irishfair.com.