Our guest post today is written by Jeannette Swanson.
Many Irish festivals thrown in the United States are put on to preserve and celebrate all facets of Irish, Irish American and Celtic cultures. Americans from either Irish or non-Irish decent will be able to experience the culture and spirit of Irish heritage through these fine festivals. Since these featured events are held in March and August you’ll have a chance to mark your calendars far in advance. Though this list is far from inclusive of all Irish festivals held in the United States, these five possess the true spirit of the homeland:
Milwaukee Irish Fest
The Milwaukee Irish Fest held August 13-16, 2015 is the largest Irish celebration in the United States. Since 1980, members of Milwaukee’s Irish community have come together to celebrate Irish/Celtic culture and music. Although the festival is only four days a year, this festival has received national and worldwide acclaim for the promotion and preservation of Irish culture year-round. In November, the Fourteenth Annual Christmas Boutique will be held for holiday shoppers to explore and purchase gifts that celebrate the Emerald Isle and yonder. This festival is also a proud sponsor of the Milwaukee Irish Fest School of Music. The premise of this school is to teach students of all ages the art of instrumental Irish traditional dance music.
Celtic Music and Heritage Festival
The nation’s oldest Celtic city, St. Augustine of Florida, is home to the music of the ancient Celtic people of Scotland and Ireland March 13-15, 2015. As one of the fastest growing Celtic events in the United States, the Celtic Music and Heritage Festival will showcase numerous Celtic clans from around the world as they present their ancestral pride. Come and rediscover the Celt as all of your senses are treated to pieces of European history. One of the tastiest ways to please your senses will be at the festival’s Whiskey Tasting Event. Guests will learn the proper manner of sampling whiskey and the background of each of the five whiskies you’ll be entreated to.
Dublin Irish Fest
Dublin, Ohio reserves 36 acres for the annual Dublin Irish Festival. The three day festival in August expects more than 100,000 in attendance and each attendee will be thoroughly entertained with 7 stages, 65 acts and more than 535 performers. During the three-day festival one might find themselves attending a Gaelic mass, learning how to properly make a scone or simply tasting traditional Irish food and drink.
Irish Fair of Minnesota
This three-day festival in August offers a family-friendly experience with a never-ending program of activities. Guests will enjoy traditional Irish dance as they nosh on either a native Irish dog or corned beef egg rolls and sip on a Finnegan’s Irish Amber or Blonde Ale. If one or two beers are your limit locate the Tea Room for refreshing hot or cold Irish tea and homemade scones and pastries for nibbling in between meals. Festival goers can end their day with a visit to the Storyteller’s Tent where people will participate in the ancient Irish tradition of storytelling. The Irish Fair of Minnesota has rounded up some of the finest Irish storytellers from the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest area for your entertainment.
Monterey Scottish Games and Irish Festival
Without leaving California’s Monterey Peninsula, family and friends can experience Scotland and Ireland with hundreds of kilted bagpipers and dancers. Music, dance and food will accompany athletic games at the annual Monterey Scottish Games and Irish Festival. Experience athleticism at its finest with the caber toss, hammer and stone throw, weight for distance and height and the sheaf toss. If watching these acts of athleticism works up your appetite there will be plenty of British and Scottish food and drink to satisfy your craving.
Our guest post today is written by Jeannette Swanson.