Irish Days Returns to Historic Downtown Long Grove September 3-5
Historic downtown Long Grove is bringing back its annual Irish Days festival Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5. All eyes will be smiling over Labor Day weekend for the three-day family-friendly celebration of Irish culture, music and cuisine. Visitors are invited to stroll Long Grove's picturesque walkways and enjoy bagpipers, folk bands, and Irish dancers in addition to Irish beer, foods, and the festival's infamous contests.
This one-of-a-kind St. Patrick's Day on Labor Day experience takes place in the heart of town, Fountain Square, and includes some of Chicago's top Irish musicians, dance troupes and entertainment. A favorite pastime at Irish Days is the Irish Dog Competition, where all dogs who dress in costume are paraded around and voted on. Each day, a panel of children judges will crown an Irish Doggie King, Queen, Prince and Princess. The contest is open to any dog who's owner registers them the day-of at the competition area located at the ticket booth.
Perhaps the biggest laughs of the weekend will come from the Best-Looking Men's Legs in a Kilt contest, where men strut their stuff on stage. Interested male contestants should wear their best kilt (or borrow one from organizers for no charge) and register at the event. The full schedule of main stage activities is as follows:
Saturday, Sept. 3:
10-11:45 a.m.: Academy of Irish Music
Noon-12:30 p.m.: McNulty School of Dance
12:45-1:15 p.m.: Men's Legs in a Kilt Contest
1:30-3 p.m.: Dooley Bros & Jimmy Moore
03:15-3:45 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Pipers
4-4:30 p.m.: Dillon School of Dance
4:30-5 p.m.: Best Dog Contest & Winners
5:30-7 p.m.: Larkin & Moran Brothers
Sunday, Sept. 4:
10 a.m.: Mass celebrated with Frs. Jamesson and Tim Fairman, with musical accompaniment by Gavin Coyle
11-11:30 a.m.: Trinity Dance School
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.: Gavin Coyle
1-1:30 p.m.: Men's Legs in a Kilt Contest
1:45-3:15 p.m.: Gerry Haughey & Declan McShane
3:30-4 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Pipers
4-4:30 p.m.: McNulty School of Dance
4:30-5 p.m.: Best Dog Contest & Winners
5:30-7 p.m.: Chancey Brothers
Monday, Sept. 5:
11-11:30 a.m.: Hogan Irish Dancers
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The Joyce Boys
1:30-2 p.m.: Best Dog Contest & Winners
2-2:30 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Pipers
2:30-4 p.m.: Joe Cullen & Kathleen Keane
Irish Days Detail Summary:
Dates: September 3-5
Hours: Sept 3, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sept 4, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sept 5, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Historic Downtown Long Grove
Admission: Complimentary (including parking)
Website: longgrove.org/festivals/irish-days