Manhattan Irish Fest Returns Friday, Saturday

The wearin’ o’ the green returns Friday and Saturday for the 28th Annual Manhattan Irish Fest with shenanigans happening all over town.

Friday night kicks off the weekend under the main tent with Keigher Academy of Irish Dancers at 6 p.m., followed by John Condron and Allison Flood at 6:30 pm, and Coyote Riot at 8:30 p.m. Also Friday is Whiskeyfist at 8:30 p.m. at Gallagher’s Pub, 160 E. North Street.

On Saturday, the craft fair opens from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Manhattan Junior High, 15606 W. Smith Road. There will be about 50 vendors, according to Mandie Wade, one of the volunteer organizers.

The Manhattan Township Historical Society, 255 S. State Street, will have free cultural exhibits 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library will host a free drop-in scavenger hunt all day at 240 Whitson Street.

D.Marie Photography is offering free group photos from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 114 S. State Street in Times Square.

The 5K run steps off just ahead of the parade along the same route at 11 a.m.

“The parade this year is larger than what we’ve had in the past,” said Tom McKay, of the Manhattan Professional Firefighters Local 4991, the volunteers organizing the parade. “We have a lot of new local businesses come in and our great legacy participants, too.”

Following the parade is the Morrigans women's rugby game at 1 p.m., located at the Manhattan Central Park rugby pitch, just steps from the main tent.

The main tent opens at noon Saturday with the Emerald Society Pipe Band at 12:30 p.m. The Sullivan School of Irish Dance performs at 1:15 p.m., followed by Anne Hatfield and friends at 2 p.m., and Far Too Close at 3:15 p.m.

Hughes Farrelly School of Irish Dance performs at 4:30 p.m. Reilly performs at 6 p.m., followed by the Larkin & Moran Brothers at 8 p.m.

Hosted by the Irish American Society of County Will and the Village of Manhattan, the fest was founded in 1995 by Tim and Mary McGrath and Mike and Mary McHugh, to share the village’s Irish heritage, according to the fest release.

It is a volunteer effort with help from local businesses as sponsors. The fest distributes proceeds back to the community. From 2005-2020, over $440,000 has been raised and donated to local organizations, according to Tim Brophy, executive director of the Irish American Society. With a long list of worthy recipients, examples include funding park and playground equipment, village entrance signs, refurbishment of youth athletic fields, and much more.

Each year, the fest also awards the Michael J. McHugh King and Queen College Scholarships, honoring the late founder.

Admissions buttons cost $15 for entry into the main tent and the craft fair.

The main tent is located north of Manhattan Fire Station, 100 S. Park Road, behind the historical society. The race, parade, rugby game, library are all located within walking distance from the main tent. Free parking is widely available throughout town.

The parade route heads west along North Ave., starting at Thelma Street, then turns south onto State Street (U.S. Route 52) to Second Street.

At Manhattan Irish Fest, cold beer, corned beef, bagpipes and leprechauns will be in abundance village wide. Most businesses, restaurants and bars will feature their own specials. The fest typically sees crowds of 6-10,000 people, according to a release.

With the warm weather, this year’s fest “sure could be a huge turnout!,” Brophy said.