The 40th annual New Jersey Irish festival will be held rain or shine on Saturday June 12, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., at First Energy Park, home of the Lakewood Blue Claws. Admission is $10 at the gate ($8 if purchased ahead of time). Children under 12 are free. Pre-sale tickets are available at the Irish Peddler in Brick, The Irish Centre in Spring Lake, The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in Old Bridge & Belmar or by contacting the Blue Claws Ticket office at 732-901-7000. Each paid admission receives one complimentary ticket for a drawing for a weekend stay at a Bed and Breakfast in Cape Cod.
“This year’s Irish Festival will be the best yet,” predicted festival Chairwoman Sheila Murphy. “We’ll start the day with a Mass at noon and then move on to a fantastic mix of traditional and Irish rock. You can sing, dance or sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Something for everyone.”
A piping competition in the Ceili Tent, and food and children’s activities are all planned. There will be bands and dance performances, crafts and arts, and the marching of massed pipe bands on the field at 3 p.m.
Guest Master of Ceremonies John Sheridan of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Old Bridge, will bring his own brand of humor to the festival as he introduces the many Irish bands who will be performing on multiple stages throughout the day.
Celtic Cross, a New York City seven-member pop-folk traditional band, traditional Irish music New Jersey act Willie Lynch Showband, Girsa, an eight member all-female traditional Irish band from Pearl River NY, Blackthorn, an Irish rock band from Philadelphia area, local favorites Bantry Bay, and traditional Irish musician from the Bronx, Jameson’s Revenge.
For information, please visit our website www.nj-irishfestival.com or call 732-446-0608 for information.
