37th Milwaukee Irish Fest this weekend, August 17-20 with new acts and new line of beers
The world’s largest celebration of Irish and Celtic music and culture and sport returns to the lakefront August 17 - 20.
New this year, Dublin’s world-renowned TradFest Temple Bar for its very first engagement on U.S. soil.
Created in collaboration with the Dublin City Council, the TradFest Dublin Showcase will feature artists who have previously appeared at TradFest Temple Bar.
The special showcase will include talents such as Aoife Scott, Goitse, Frankie Gavin, The Maguires, Dermot & Flo, The Young Folk, Paddy Keenan and Cúig.
Special shows include:
Gaelic Storm Throwback Thursday show
TradFest Dublin All-Stars show
The Beatles - Celtic Style: We Banjo 3, Skerryvore and friends
Lakefront Brewery will also be unveiling Milwaukee Irish Fest firkins. They are special brewed Irish-themed beers Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the festival.
"They'll take their snake chaser Irish stout and soak some oak cubes in varying Irish whiskeys," explained Dan Gutzmann, Beverage Supervisor for Milwaukee Irish Fest. "And then age that in a barrel."
And for as good humored as the Irish are about the stereotypes about drinking, the fest prides itself on its focus on true culture.
"Our cultural area is very robust," Linda Clark Klibowitz, President of Milwaukee Irish Fest, tells CBS 58 News. "We have genealogy, hedge school, Irish language, harp tent and literary corner."
Northern Ireland author, Tony Macaulay, will launch the American publication of his memoir, Little House on the Peace Line, at Milwaukee Irish Fest. Macaulay will also appear in the Hedge School to discuss the work he and his wife do towards the reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Failte Ireland Food Ambassador, Chef Pádraic Óg Gallagher of Boxty House, Temple Bar, Dublin will share lively Irish stories, delicious food and recipes in the Celtic Kitchen.
Also new to the festival, Mulligan's Irish Pub will offer guests award-winning Irish Lamb Stew, Reuben Quesadilla and an Irish banger sandwich. Two new whiskeys, the Yellow Spot and Green Spot, will make their Milwaukee Irish Fest debut at The Jameson Lounge.
Milwaukee Irish Fest welcomes 15 new acts in 2017, including contemporary talents like The Young Folk, Hermitage Green and Brave Giant. Additional acts set to debut at Milwaukee Irish Fest include Celtica Pipes Rock, The East Pointers, The Fitzgerald's, and Open the Door for Three. Several festival favorites will also make their return in 2017, including Gaelic Storm, We Banjo 3, JigJam, Skerryvore, Dervish and The High Kings.
The Cultural Village at Milwaukee Irish Fest features Celtic art, history, genealogy and shopping. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet authors at the Literary Corner, walk through exhibits showcasing Irish history, visit the Irish language area to learn simple Gaelic phrases, talk with research consultants in the Genealogy area or catch the new play, Galway Girl, in the theatre pavilion.
Irish Fest prides itself of bringing things in for the whole family.
Families can collect stamps for Pirate Paddy passports, catch daily parades, search for gold in the Leprechaun Village, and participate in highland games, crafts and mini-golf. Plus, festivalgoers can check out daily family entertainment at the Children’s Stages, including performances by fan favorite, Scythian.
In addition to the newest food and drinks at the festival, there is always classic Irish fare that is sure to hit the spot. Festivalgoers can sample traditional Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage or festival favorite, Gilles Jameson Frozen Custard.
Milwaukee Irish Fest features several sporting events to watch and try out, such as Tug-of-War competitions, currach races held in the lagoon, Gaelic football and hurling. Many offer demonstrations as a hands-on way to learn more about the Irish sports.
There are 8 gate promotions so you can save some green.
·Children’s Discount - Kids ages 12 and under are always free.
·Senior Citizens’ Discount - Seniors (60+) get $5 off general admission (regularly $20).
·Thursday Promotion - $5 general admission or free admission with a donation of school supplies for Hope House on Thursday, Aug. 17.
·Half-Price Friday - $10 general admission on Friday, Aug. 18.
·Arthritis Foundation Run/Walk to Milwaukee Irish Fest - Register for the 2017 Run/Walk to Milwaukee Irish Fest and receive free admission before 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19.
·College Day - College students receive $3 off general admission with a valid student ID between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20.
·Military Day - Free admission for active, reserve, retired and guard military personnel plus one guest, with valid military ID on Sunday, Aug. 20.
·Fests Feed Milwaukee - Donate a non-perishable food item by 11 a.m. and receive free admission to the festival on Sunday, Aug. 20.
Two-Day Passes for Saturday and Sunday are also available and can be purchased online for only $30. To purchase advance tickets and to learn about special partner promotions and discounts, visit IrishFest.com .
The four-day festival showcases more than 100 entertainment acts on 17 stages at Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. The annual festival occurs every third weekend in August.
Milwaukee Irish Fest is proudly presented by CelticMKE, a non-profit organization dedicated to igniting a love of Celtic culture in all people. With the help of more than 4,000 volunteers, CelticMKE and Milwaukee Irish Fest promote Celtic music, dance, drama, sports, culture, children’s activities and genealogy through the annual festival, as well as year-round programming.
For more information on Irish Fest click here