Music highlights Fox Valley Irish Festival
When planners say that this year's Fox Valley Irish Festival is truly for all ages, they're not just full of blarney.
The Irish Fest, a late summer staple for West Dundee, will include the Irish "Jig Jog" 5k and family races, 10 different bands representing a variety of musical genres and a "Wee Folks" area with activities targeted at children and tweens that will host an "Irish Idol" talent competition for the first time.
Beginning on Friday, Sept. 11 and running until the jig is up on Sunday, the fest expects the usual crowd of lads and lasses eager to enjoy activities inspired by the Emerald Isle. The live music and a craft marketplace will run the entire three days.
"(The Fox Valley Irish Fest) began initially as a fundraiser, a small idea within the parish and became a large three day event. There's a large Irish population ... in the Chicago area and in the past we've had 8,000 people that go through our doors," entertainment chairwoman Jana Peterson said.
"We have infants up to great-grandmothers come out," she said. "We have Irish dancing, always a fun thing, for everyone to watch. There is really a little bit of something for everyone. This is a great place for families to go to, a place where you can bring your kids and have fun."
The "Jig Jog" 5k begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and will take runners through the streets of downtown West Dundee.
At 8:05 a.m. the Shamrock Family Mile takes off and at 8:45 a.m. the Leprechaun Lap, a special shorter course for kids 5 and younger, allows even the littlest ones to show off the jig in their step.
The race, music, food and games will all be on the grounds of the St. Catherine of Siena Parish in West Dundee, at 845 W Main St. Admission to the fest is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors. Those younger than 12 are free. A $13 two-day or $20 three-day weekend pass is also available.
This year St. Catherine's Church will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. To celebrate, parishioners who have been with the church since it was built will be leading free guided tours of the building from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from 12:45 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
An outdoor Gaelic mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday outside the church, open to all. There is no charge to attend the mass, but organizers ask that attendees bring in food to donate to the church's food pantry. The entire mass will be spoken in Gaelic and Irish music will be played.
"It's very neat outside under the tent," Peterson said. "It gives you a whole different feel of mass and it creates a very special feeling out there."
Bennigan's Grill and Tavern will be on site serving up potato soup, turkey O'Toole's and plenty of other Irish-inspired fare. Traditional festival food vendors will also be there selling hot dogs, ice cream and the like.
For a complete schedule of events visit foxvalleyirishfest.com
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> The Fox Valley Irish Festival in West Dundee, featuring an Irish "Jig Jog" 5k and family races at 8 a.m. Saturday, an "Irish Idol" talent competition at 7 p.m. Saturday, free tours of St. Catherine's of Siena Parish and live music and craft vendors all weekend</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 5 to 10:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11; noon to 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12; 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> St. Catherine of Siena Church, 845 W Main St. in West Dundee, off Route 72 just west of Route 31</p> <p class="News"><b>How much? </b>Adults, $8; seniors, $6; kids 12 and younger, free; $13 two-day and $20 three-day passes are available </p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://foxvalleyirishfest.com" target="new">foxvalleyirishfest.com</a></p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=319727">Young performers compete for 'Irish Idol' <span class="date">[9/10/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>