Irish music and dancing coming to downtown Naperville with annual Irish Fest Sept. 22-23
This year's Naperville Irish Fest is moving downtown, after two years at the Frontier Sports Complex.
The annual festival, hosted by West Suburban Irish, will be Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23, in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave.
Enjoy live music, Irish cultural activities, Irish dancing, Hurling demos, children's activities, and more during the family-friendly festival.
Festival hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Advance tickets are $10 per person or $15 for two people; kids, age 12 and under, are admitted free. Ticket price are $15 and $25 on Sept. 22. For tickets, go to wsirish.org.
After the opening ceremony at 2:45 p.m. Friday, the Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville, a staple at the St. Patrick's Day Parade, will be performing traditional and updated bagpipe tunes at 6:15 p.m. Friday and 2:15 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Learn more about the band at www.napervillepipeband.com.
Music stage
The Joyce Boys, a family band that plays classic Irish folk and rebel songs, will perform at 5:15 p.m.
The Boils trio will deliver a blend of jigs, reels and songs starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Chicago Irish Band will close out the first night of the festival starting at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Small Batch, featuring acoustic guitar, traditional bodhran, Irish fiddle, and lush harmonies, will open the entertainment stage at 12:30 p.m.
At 2:30 p.m., The Chancers, with Risteárd Ó Mórdha, born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, and Chicagoan Patrick Dillon, will play all the traditional Irish favorites, along with contemporary Irish tunes.
Dirty Wellies will perform traditional Irish tunes and songs, as well as modern tunes and twists, at 4:45 p.m.
At 6:30 p.m., it will be Whiskey Mick, a six-piece Irish rock cover band from the Northwest side of Chicago, with a set list featuring music from The Pogues, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, The Tossers, The Saw Doctors, and others.
The Celtic rock band Larkin and Moran Brothers will close out the two-day festival starting at 8 p.m.
Leprechaun Landing
For the young festivalgoers, there will be an array of children's activities, including a bounce house and playground from 3-10 p.m. on Friday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Face painting will be offered from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
On Saturday, there will be Home Depot Crafts from noon to 4 p.m., and shamrock crafts and traditional Irish storytelling at Nichols Library from 2 to 3 p.m.
The Kids' Parade will step off at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Irish dancing
Enjoy the best in Irish dancing and learn how to do the jig with performances by local dance schools.
On Friday, the Bentley Academy of Irish Dance will take the stage at 3:30 p.m., followed by the McNulty School of Irish Dance at 4:15 p.m.
On Saturday, enjoy the performance by the Hogan Irish Dance Academy at 1:30 p.m., followed by a return of the McNulty Irish Dancers at 3:45 p.m.
Hurling batting cage
Learn the basics of hurling, one of the world's most ancient sports. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Just come on over to the Hurling table next to the pitch and where one (or more) of hurlers will teach you how to play.
In the Hurling batting cage, you will learn how to swing that hurley and knock the sliotar (ball) out of the park.
Whiskey tastings
On Saturday, the tasting brand managers from Tullamore Whiskey and Jameson Whiskey will be at the nearby Quigley's Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave.
From 3 to 4 p.m., learn about the process for making Tullamore Dew, the 12-, 14- and 18-year Tully, and Tully Rum Cask Strength.
Or taste the Jameson Black Barrel, Red Breast 12- or 15-year, and Midleton 2023 Vintage Release from 6 to 7 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per session and include two free tickets to Irish Fest.
The testings are limited to 38 people. Pretzels with beer cheese will be available for paid tasting attendees. Get your tickets via www.wsirish.org.
The Irish Village
Take a stroll through the Irish Village to explore a variety of Irish offerings. Talk with Sharon Shea Bossard, the author of "Finding My Irish," "Finding My Chicago Irish," and "Veil of Silence."
You can check out the authentic Irish jewelry and gifts with Ballyea Jewelry Designs and Peter Townsend's Irish Collection, browse through a selection homemade soaps, or purchase some Irish soda bread. Learn about Irish Community Services, an immigration and community services provider; or book your next trip to Ireland.
Follow facebook.com/West.Suburban.Irish/.
West Suburban Irish Inc. is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Naperville. For more than a quarter century, they have brought the rich Irish culture and tradition to thousands of people in the Western suburbs of Chicago through parades, charitable giving, cultural events, and more.