I’ll kick it off with one of the most successful festivals which is the 11th Annual Hudson Valley Fest held in Peekskill which is a fun family day of Irish culture on the Hudson!
The Hudson Valley Irish Fest returns to Peekskill’s Riverfront Green Park on Saturday, September 28. The Fest will run from 11 am to 7 pm, rain or shine. The donation is $10 per person, ages 12 and under free. No coolers or pets permitted. Advance tickets can be obtained at hudsonvalleyirishfest.com/tickets.
This community-based, not for profit cultural event was established in 2009 to celebrate and promote the rich Irish-American heritage in the lower Hudson Valley. Dan Dennehy, the organizations’ founding chair, stated, “Our all volunteer committee plan year-round for our Riverside celebration of Ireland and Irish America in the Hudson Valley.
“Over 11 years, the Fest, Irish Center and Library continue to provide high quality, affordable entertainment, educational and musical events.”
Headliners at the breathtaking backdropped main stage are The Screaming Orphans, The Cunningham Brothers Band, the McLean Avenue Band, and Tim Murphy & Seisun accompanied by the Fighting 69th Regiment’s Pipe Major Joe Brady and a breathtaking massed pipe band.
The Jack McAndrew Memorial Traditional Tent features Irish recording artists Mary Courtney, Donie Carroll, and many more renowned traditional Irish musicians. The Clan na hÉireann School of Irish Dance Tent features talented local Irish dancers. The spoken word tent is hosted by Irish American Writers & Artists Salon host John Kearns with best-selling authors, historians, poets, storytellers, and historical displays.
Visitors are encouraged to take MTA Metro-North’s Hudson Line to Peekskill train station, immediately adjacent to the beautiful Riverfront Green, and a beautiful 1-hour ride along the Hudson River from GCT. Ample free parking is available.
Now here is an event that is very close to my heart and I will be there for the fun and so should you. The Nassau AOH Irish Festival will be held on September 15 at Nickerson Beach, Long Beach, Long Island. Come and join the fun at a great Irish Festival and Feis. Delight in the Irish Step Dancing competitions, thrill to the marching bagpipes and drum bands, enjoy traditional Irish singing and shop at plenty of Irish vendors.
There will be games for kids, Irish art on display, a Gaelic Cul Camp, and even an opportunity to brush up on your Irish language skills! Food and beverages will be available. There will be live music by Bangers & Mash. Come celebrate all that’s best of Irish heritage and culture at this 47th Annual Feis & Irish Festival, put on by the Nassau County Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America. This year’s Hibernian Festival honors Nassau AOH Division 17’s Andrew Healey for his great service to the Order and to other important local Irish causes.
This year’s Irish Festival and Feis also offers special recognition to the Nassau County Ladies AOH on their 125th Anniversary! The festival will be held from 9 am to 6 pm at Nickerson Beach (80 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach). Entry is $10 per person; no charge for children under 16. A Catholic Mass will be held on site at 11 am.
For more information, visit NassauAOHfeis.com or call (646) 481-3347.
The next event came to my attention from Trinity Events who asked me to let you know if you are interested and this is what they say.
“I am writing to you regarding an upcoming event ‘Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day’ scheduled for September 15 at the Rockland GAA Clubhouse and Pavilion in Orangeburg, NY. This event is being planned and managed by Trinity Events. Our current goal is to organize more community engagement events for the upcoming year in both Rockland County and the Greater NYC area.
“In the past two years, we have organized a Fundraiser for a local Pipe Band that brought in over 3,000 attendees year over year. We have experience with events of all sizes, but one of the most fun events for us is creating a Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day, unlike anything in the tri-state (NY/NJ/CT) area.
“Our vision for the festival includes live entertainment throughout the day, Irish food, and sellers of Irish Goods.”
Contact Meaghan Mallon and Colleen McNicholas at Trinity Events (trinityeventsnj.com) at TrinityEventsNJ@gmail.com.
Well as I said, we still have a lot of summer to go have some fun and show your Irishness before the Fall comes crashing in and the days get shorter.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.