Annapolis Irish Festival 2017: Bands, Tickets, Kids' Events And More

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Fan favorite Gaelic Storm — known as the party band in the movie "Titanic" and for non-stop touring — headlines this weekend's 2017 Annapolis Irish Festival. The event will be held rain or shine on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds on General Highway in Crownsville.

The festival is billed as a family oriented event, celebrating Celtic music, traditions and customs. It features local and international Celtic bands, dancers, pipers, entertainers along with a wide array of vendors offering up authentic Irish foods, crafts, clothing and jewelry. The venue's "Little Leprechaun Land,” where everything is free for the wee ones, is open on Saturday (only).

The Annapolis Irish Festival was founded by local musician, Eddie McGowan and debuted in 2011. Thanks to the support of Budweiser, Galway Bay, Murphy Commercial and 22 other local businesses, the festival has tripled its footprint, added a 26,000 sq. ft. “big top” structure tent, 3 stages, donated over $100,000 to local non-profits and evolved into a nationally recognized event

Included in this year’s line up are: Gaelic Storm, Seamus Kennedy, Scythian, Carbon Leaf, Kilmaine Saints and Screaming Orphans and more. Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.

An expanded Friday Night Salute to the Military this year will include police, firefighters and other first responders.

Ticket Info

Tickets are on sale (children 12 and under are free with an adult), and are $15 per person for Friday, $25 per person for Saturday. Purchase tickets online now.

The 2017 Annapolis Irish Festival will host more than 70 vendors, the Little Leprechaun Land for kids and benefit Bello Machre, as well as many other non-profits in the community.

Pipe Band Competition

The Annapolis Irish Festival will host its first Pipe Band Competition on June 3 with three levels of band competition: Grade 5 (entry level), Grade 4, and Grade 3. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Grade 3: 1st $500, 2nd $400, 3rd $300 Grade 4: 1st $400, 2nd $300, 3rd $200 Grade 5: 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd $100.

Bands will compete from noon to 4 p.m. in the lower field of the festival grounds. An award presentation will follow immediately thereafter. Judging is based on proper starts and stops, musicality, ability to stay in tune, and precision of play.

Performers are:

FRIDAY LINE UP

Greene Turtle Hill Stage

• 4:00 - 5:30 Screaming Orphans
• 6:00 - 7:15 Kilmaine Saints
• 7:30 - 8:15 Military Appreciation
• 8:30 - 10:30 Scythian

Galway Bay Pavilion

• 4:00 - 5:15 Aine O'Doherty
• 5:30 - 7:00 Seamus Kennedy
• 7:15 - 8:15 Shamrogues

Tentative Military Appreciation Plan: 7:10PM Bag Pipers start marching, 7:30PM National Anthem 7:35PM Remarks by Col. Brian Foley, US Army

SATURDAY LINE UP

Greene Turtle Hill Stage

• 11:00 - 11:30 Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes & Drum
• 12:00 - 1:30 Kilmaine Saints
• 2:00 - 3:30 Screaming Orphans
• 4:00 - 5:30 Scythian
• 6:00 - 7:30 Carbon Leaf
• 8:00 - 10:00 Gaelic Storm

Galway Bay Pavilion

• 11:30 - 12:00 Culkin School of Irish Dance
• 12:15 - 1:45 Seamus Kennedy
• 2:00 - 3:15 Aine O'Doherty
• 3:30 - 5:00 Shamrogues
• 5:15 - 6:30 Seamus Kennedy
• 6:45 - 8:00 Aine O'Doherty

*All times are subject to change.

What You Need to Know Before You Go
Leprechaun Land Area: Free for kids, open Saturday only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will include: Face painting, balloon sculptures and hats, activities and culture, kids music show with Seamus Kennedy, a bouncy castle and pony rides.

Items permitted on festival grounds: Chairs, blankets, umbrellas, towels, cameras

Not permitted: Coolers, animals (pets), outside beverages and food, pop-up tents

Military Salute: Friday night the festival will allow free admission for all military and one guest with a valid military ID.