‘Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day,’ Naperville holds Irish Fest

While many communities are celebrating Bavarian and alpine-themed Oktoberfests, Naperville changed things up, hosting its fourth annual Irish Fest on a beautiful 90 degree September day.

“It's halfway to St. Patrick's Day,” said Chris O'Hara, Irish Fest co-chair and secretary of West Suburban Irish. “So in March, it's a little chilly, and we do the Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade, and that's our big St. Patrick's Day celebration.”

O'Hara said there are many people of Irish heritage living in the Western suburbs.

Held Friday and Saturday at Central Park, the celebration of Irish culture featured music, dance, food, demos, kids activities including a kids’ parade in the afternoon, vendors, and of course, Irish beer.

Saturday's entertainment included Hogan Irish Dance Academy, Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville Bagpipers, and “Mulligan Stew.”