News

Arlington Heights Irish Fest offers food, fun, heritage

Posted July 15, 2010 11:00 pm

Are you looking for all things Irish? Do you proudly wear your green shamrocks and kilts? Well read on, because Arlington Heights has the festival for you.

The Arlington Heights Historical Museum will again host the 11th annual Irish Fest, two days of Irish dancing, heritage, fun and food for the entire family.

The festival will be held on the museum grounds, 110 W. Fremont St., from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 16, and 3:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 17.

Admission prices - lower than in previous years - are $5 for adults, free for kids younger than 15 on Friday. On Saturday, prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and historical society members and $2 for children ages 3 to 14.

Cathy Robertson, Arlington Heights Historical Museum program coordinator, says she expects this year's festival attendance to be better than last year's, with crowds exceeding 2,000 to 3,000 over two days.

"This year, I tried to blend the traditional aspects of our Irish Fest with new bands, new vendors selling Irish goods, a new food vendor, and the best yet: lower prices," Robertson said.

The McNulty Irish Dancers, Trinity Irish Dancers, Paddy Homan, Hi Infidelity, Gavin Coyle, The Dooleys, The Glengael Bagpipe Band and Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society will entertain.

There will also be vendors showcasing their Irish goods for sale, as well as balloon art, Ceili dancing clinic, airbrush body art and contests.

Fest visitors can also see performers such as 7th Heaven, who will open for Bon Jovi this summer at Soldier Field.

For details, visit the Arlington Heights Historical Museum website at ahmuseum.org or call (847) 255-1225.

Opening night at last year's Irish Fest in Arlington Heights is in full swing. This year's summer celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

If you go

Friday, July 16

Admission: $5 adults, children younger than 15 free

5:30 p.m. Gates open

6-7:15 p.m. Gavin Coyle, main stage

6-8 p.m. Airbrush Body Art, museum grounds

6-10 p.m. Marketplace open, Anne's Irish Knits, Because I Like It!, Celtic Craft, Kallas Designs, Galway Bakers, Murray's Irish Outfitters performing

7:15-7:30 p.m. The Glengael Bagpipe Band, main stage

7:30 p.m. Trinity Irish Dancers, main stage

8:15 p.m. Lucky Lass Drawing, main stage

8:30-10:30 p.m. 7th Heaven, main stage

11 p.m. Fest closes

Saturday, July 17

Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors and historical society members; children ages 3 to 14 $2 until 7:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m. Gates open

4-5 p.m. The Dooleys, main stage

4-7 p.m. Wee Folk Tent opens, Wee Folk Tent

4-8 p.m. Airbrush Body Art, museum grounds

4-8 p.m. Irish American Heritage Center, Dunton Room

4-8 p.m. Northern IL Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, Dunton Room

4-8 p.m. Mini-golf, carnival games, Irish Baggo, Arlington Room

4:30-7:30 p.m. Balloon Creations by Jane Harris, Wee Folk Tent

5 p.m. Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, museum grounds

5:30 p.m. McNulty School of Irish Dance, main stage

6 p.m. Best Legs in Kilt contest, main stage

6:15 p.m. Ceili Workshop presented by McNulty School of Irish Dance, Arlington Room

6:30-8 p.m. Paddy Homan & Friends, main stage

8 p.m. Irish Raffle, main stage

8:30-10:30 p.m. Hi Infidelity, main stage

11 p.m. Fest closes