Long Grove festival celebrates Emerald Isle traditions
It's a celebration of all things Irish as three days of music, dance, food and fun come to historic downtown Long Grove.
In its seventh year, the Long Grove Irish Days festival will feature live performances by well-known Irish musicians and Irish step dancers from local schools.
Cultural activities abound with visits from Irish authors, a Gaelic language tent and Ceili Dance instructions. Winston's Restaurant and Bakery provide the fuel for the festivities in the form of fresh corned beef sandwiches, Guinness lager, fish and chips and other tasty treats. The spirit of the weekend is continued throughout town with sidewalk sales outside many of the Long Grove shops.
Performances include such well-known singers and groups as Gavin Coyle, Baal Tinne, The Katie Sullivan Band, Three Men in Kilts, the Jeff Ward Band and The Paddy Homan Band. The Shannon Rovers Bagpipe and Drum Band will appear all three days.
Kevin Horton, a two-time world Irish dance medalist, will be on hand to perform. Originally from Mundelein, Horton is in his seventh year with Riverdance, the renowned Irish Dance troupe, and has toured extensively with the show.
Also performing will be members of nine Irish dance troupes, including the McNulty Irish Dancers, The Trinity Academy of Irish Dance and The Tully Academy of Irish Dance.
Other highlights of the three-day festival include:
• Wee Ones Activity Area: crafts, games, facepainting and balloons, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
•Irish dog contest: Registration for dog prince, princess, king and queen open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily at the Dog House, 405 Robert Parker Coffin Road. Dog competition judging begins at 2 p.m. each day; winners will be
announced on the main stage in Fountain Square at 3:40 p.m. each day.
• Free Sunday night movie: "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" will be shown at 8 p.m. outside Timmy's Sandwichs & Ice Cream, 132 Old McHenry Road. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
Music schedule
All events take place at Fountain Square, 228 Robert Parker Coffin Road.
Saturday, Sept. 5
11 a.m.: Academy of Irish Music
12:20 p.m.: McNulty Irish Dancers
1 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Bagpipe and Drum Band
1:40 p.m.: Gavin Coyle
3 p.m.: Foy School of Irish Dance
3:40 p.m.: Irish Dog Competition Awards
4:20 p.m.: Baal Tinne
5:30 p.m.: Meyer School of Irish Dance
6:15 p.m.: Three Men in Kilts
Sunday, Sept. 6
10 a.m.: Mass celebrated by Father David Ryan, St. Francis de Sales Church
11 a.m.: Irish Music School of Chicago
12:20 p.m.: Tully Academy of Irish Dance
1 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Bagpipe and Drum Band
1:40 p.m.: The Paddy Homan Band
3 p.m.: Mullane-Healy-O'Brian Irish Dance Academy
3:40 p.m.: Irish Dog Competition Awards
4 p.m.: Mary Pat Kelly - Stories from "Galway Bay"
4:20 p.m.: Catherine O'Connell
5:30 p.m.: Eilish Sullivan School of Irish Dance
6:15 p.m.: The Katie Sullivan Band
Monday, Sept. 7
11 a.m.: CúRoí
12:20 p.m.: Trinity Academy of Irish Dance
1 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Bagpipe and Drum Band
1:40 p.m.: Jeff Ward Band
2:45 p.m.: Aileen Horne - Irish American Idol
3 p.m.: Tim O'Hare School of Irish Dance
3:40 p.m.: Irish Dog Competition Awards
4:20 p.m.: Gavin Coyle
5:30 p.m.: Kevin Horton of Riverdance
6:15 p.m.: Joe Cullen and Kathleen Keane
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Long Grove's 7th annual Irish Days festival</p> <p class="News"><b>When: </b>11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 5-7</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Downtown business district, near Routes 53 and 83, just north of Lake-Cook Road.</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free admission, free parking and free live entertainment. </p> <p class="News"><b>More info:</b> Call the Long Grove Visitor's Information Center at (847) 634-0888 or Paddy's on the Square at (847) 634-0339; or visit <a href="http://longgroveonline.com" target="new">longgroveonline.com</a>.</p>