Get your Irish on – it’s fest time in Manhattan.
The Irish American Society of County Will has teamed up with the Manhattan Park District to host the Manhattan Irish Fest Friday and Saturday.
The traditional weekend, which began in 1995, will once again include an entertainment tent with cultural music and dancing, a parade and children’s games.
By partnering with the park district, fest chairman Brandon Lipke said they were able to draw more volunteers, “tighten up the reins regarding the fest and bring in different people.”
It takes more than 470 volunteers and more than 1,500 man hours, not including emergency and safety personnel, he said.
Lipke said they are aware the popular South Side Irish parade in Chicago’s Beverly community, has scaled back its event this year and Manhattan is prepared to deal with an influx of people.
“If it happens, we will welcome the patrons, but we will be prepared,” he said. “At this time, we are planning for an average Manhattan Irish Fest with secondary plans.”
The fest committee designed options with Manhattan police and fire departments to have emergency personnel available on fest grounds and throughout the village for “service and security,” Lipke said.
For the past few years, per village ordinance, alcohol is not allowed to be brought into or carried out of the park. Manhattan police will assist with checking identification of patrons, and the fire department will have a first responder on the grounds at all times.
Friday night and Saturday after 4 p.m., admission to the entertainment tent is limited to people age 21 and older.
Fest admission buttons can be purchased in advance online, www.manhattanirishfest.com, and at local schools and businesses for $7, or $10 during the fest. Buttons are required for all events. Children younger than 7 are admitted free of charge with a paying adult.
The entertainment tent in Central Park is open Friday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, featuring music by The Lonely Schizophrenic, Icewagon FLU, the Ploughboys, John Condron, Whiskey of the Damned, bagpipers and Irish dancers.
Saturday’s fest begins with a 9 a.m. Irish Mass at St. Joseph Church, followed by a parade at 11 a.m.
The family tent, at the park district recreation center, 397 S. State St., will feature a dance Friday night and children’s games and prizes on Saturday.
This year’s parade grand marshals are Noreen Bormet and Karleen Kendall, who with Girl Scout Troop 244 began the Manhattan food pantry in 1997 as a service project. Today, it serves more than 40 families. Bormet and Kendall continue to operate it with a host of volunteers.
Festgoers can park at the Metra commuter lot.
MANHATTAN IRISH FEST
Entertainment Tent Schedule
Friday
5:30 p.m. – Doors open
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – The Lonely Schizophrenic
7:30 to 8 p.m. – Grand marshals, king, queen
8 to 10:30 p.m – Icewagon FLU
10:30 p.m. – Last pour
11 p.m. – Tent closes
Saturday
Noon – Tunes of Glory Bagpipers
12:15 p.m. – The Ploughboys
1 p.m. – Emerald Society Bagpipers
1:20 p.m. – Irish dancers
1:40 p.m. – The Ploughboys
2 p.m. – King and queen presentation
2:15 to 4 p.m. – John Condron
4:15 to 5:45 p.m. – The Lonely Schizophrenic
6 to 7:30 p.m. – Whiskey of the Damned
7:30 to 8 p.m. -Grand marshals presentation
8 to 10 p.m. – Icewagon FLU
9:30 p.m. – Last pour
10 p.m. – Tent closes
Family Tent Activities
Friday
6:30 p.m. – Doors open
7 to 10 p.m. – All ages dances with DJ Stormin’ Norman and live band, Street Worthy
Saturday
Noon – Irish Step Dancers, children’s games
12:30 p.m. – The Magic Dentist
6 p.m. – All ages dance with DJ and live band.
Other events
9 a.m. – Irish Mass at St. Joseph Church
11 a.m. – Parade in downtown
Read the original article from SouthTown Star.
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