Great American Irish Festival – Family Friendly Fun

The final weekend of July in the Mohawk Valley Region is synonymous with one epic event; The Great American Irish Festival.  One of the largest Celtic festivals in the nation, The Great American Irish Festival welcomes attendees from all over the world to share a weekend full of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, culture, and cuisine. The outstanding lineup continually packs in the crowds, and weather is never a deterrent as attendees have proven year after year. This family friendly event not only boasts some of the greatest celtic musicians in the world, it also offers its attendees activities for children of all ages, the 5K Ranger Run, a Bagpipe Compeition, Rugby matches, photography contests, and cutltural education which this year will include the whiskey tasting.

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For those new to the festival, organizers have put together a wonderful list of what to bring (and not bring)to make your weekend the best possible ever.

What to bring to the Irish Fest:

  • Your tickets – You don’t want to forget those!
  • Money – If you haven’t bought tickets you’ll need cash. Even if you already have tickets, beer, food, and merchandise are for sale. We do have ATM’s located on the grounds but it’s always a good idea to have cash.
  • Phone/Camera – So you don’t get lost and so you can document the Festival with us!
  • Portable Charger – Just so you don’t have to worry about your phone dying.
  • ID – This isn’t just to buy beer. If you become sick it’s a lot quicker to get you taken care of if we can identify who you are.
  • Sunscreen – Because we are hopeful it will be a sunny weekend!
  • Friends – Because the more the merrier!
  • Sunglasses – Because protecting your eyes from UV rays is important.
  • Comfortable shoes – Because there is so much to see and do and we don’t want you to miss out!
  • Poncho – Just in case if that rain does come you can still have a good time!

A few things that aren’t allowed:

  • Pets
  • Coolers
  • No bottles (this includes water) – food and beverages are available for purchase within the gates.
  • Lawn chairs – we have plenty of seating.

Planning on attending and want to save a few dollars on the ticket at the gate price? Visit http://greatamericanirishfest.com/tickets/ and purchase tickets to print out and bring along.

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Buy Advance Tickets Online and Save Money!

Friday – $12 (At the gate $15)*
Saturday – $15 ( At the gate $20)*
Sunday – $12 (At the gate $15)*
Weekend Pass – $30 (Advance sale only)*
Weekend campsite – $50

*Active military members with valid ID and immediate family; children under 13 tickets are FREE

Blarney Rebel Band
Blarney Rebel Band

I highly suggest taking the time to review the lineup for this year and plan your strategy of attack to see all your favorite bands, and a few new ones that will surely become favorites after this weekend.

Friday, July 24th

Glengarry Boys - D'Arcy Furniss
Glengarry Boys – D’Arcy Furniss

Contemporary Stage

5:00 – 6:00 Rathkeltair
6:30 – 7:30 BarleyJuice
8:00 – 9:15 The Elders
9:45 – 11:00 Glengarry Bhoys

Traditional Stage

5:00 – 5:45 Blarney Rebel Band
6:15 – 7:15 Get Up Jack
7:45 – 9:00 Searson
9:30 – 11:00 Kitchen Party

Regional Stage

5:15 – 6:15 Searson
6:30 – 7:00 Dance Set
7:17 – 9:00 Spain Brothers
9:15 – 10:15 Gerry Dixon

Cultural Stage

5:15 – 6:30 Craobh Dugan
6:15 – 6:35 Dance Set
7:00 – 8:30 Rattlin Bog

 

Saturday, July 25th

Barleyjuice - Great American Irish Festival
Barleyjuice – Great American Irish Festival

Contemporary Stage

12:00 – 1:20 1916
1:40 – 3:00 Fighting Jameson’s
3:30 – 5:00 Glengarry Bhoys
5:00 – 5:45 Pipe Band March
5:45 – 7:00 Rathkeltair
7:30 – 9:00 Barleyjuice
9:30 – 11:00 The Elders

Traditional Stage

11:30 – 12:45 Blarney Rebel Band
1:10 – 2:30 Kitchen Party
3:00 – 4:30 The Moxie Strings
4:30 – 5:00 Dance Set
5:00 – 5:45 Pipe Band March
5:45 – 6:50 Seamus Kennedy
7:15 – 8:45 Eileen Ivers
9:15 – 10:45 Hair of the Dog

 

Regional Stage

12:00 – 1:30 Gerry Dixon
1:45 – 3:15 Emerald Dawn
3:30 – 5:00 Kevin McKrell
5:00 – 5:45 Pipe Band March
5:45 – 7:15 Triskele
7:30 – 9:00 The Moxie Strings
9:15 – 10:45 Kilrush

Cultural Stage

12:00 – 3:15 Kennedy’s Kitchen (Ballads/Stories/Workshops)
3:30 – 5:00 Rakish Paddy
5:00 5:45 Pipe Band March
5:45 – 6:30 Kevin McKrell
6:45 – 7:45 Rakish Paddy
8:00 – 9:00 The Stoutmen

Sunday, July 26th

Contemporary Stage

12:00 – 1:15 1916
1:45 – 3:00 Fighting Jameson’s
3:30 – 5:00 The Elders

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Traditional Stage

11:45 – 12:15 Dance Set
12:15 – 1:30 The Moxie Strings
2:00 – 3:15 Hair of the Dog
3:45 – 5:00 Seamus Kennedy

Regional Stage

12:30 – 3:00 Kennedy’s Kitchen (Ballads/Stories/Workshops)
3:15 – 5:00 Donald O’Shaughnessy

Cultural Stage

12:15 – 12:45 Dance Set
1:00 – 2:15 Craobh Dugan
2:30 – 3:00 Dance Set

I have to admit, this has become an annual event for this photojournalist.  Although I was one in spectator mode at the time, this year I’m super excited to be bringing you all highlights.  So make certain when you see me, to please stop me and say hello.

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