2012 Irish Festival Off To A Fast Start

Since announcing the 2012 Annapolis Irish Festival, Event Director Eddie McGowan has been busy booking bands, enlarging the festival site and selling tickets. “As of today, we have over 1,500 tickets pre-sold- that’s amazing,” said McGowan. “It’s a tribute to the success of our Inaugural Festival and testimony to the warm welcome we received from the community. In 2011 over 13,000 people attended the Inaugural Irish Festival and 25 businesses supported the event which was a complete success. “Our tickets are moderately price -$15 in advance and people know they are getting a value.”

The 2012 Irish Festival will be held on Saturday, July 14 at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. Gates will open at 11am. Festival goers will find the footprint for the 2012 Festival has been enlarged to make room for more vendors, a larger “Little Leprechaun Land” and a third stage for more Traditional and Celtic Bands. “Our Family Pavilion was full from the time we opened until we closed,” said McGowan. “This year, we are pleased to announce that Little Leprechaun Land will be presented by Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Va.” A few of the theme park’s animal ambassadors will make a special appearance. Little Leprechaun Land will also have pony rides, Kids Music Shows by Irelands own Seamus Kennedy, Irish Step Dance lessons ,Drum Workshops and other entertainers, face painters, balloon artists, magicians, arts & crafts and amusements –all under cover and ALL FOR FREE.”

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Three Internationally acclaimed Celtic Rock Bands join this year’s Celtic musical line-up; Scythian – Celtic Rock with an Edge, Albannach bringing the” Fire and Thunder of Scotland” to Annapolis and The Rogues, voted the #1 Celtic Band Worldwide join hometown favorite “ The Rovers”, Barleyjuice, Ice Wagon Flu, those hot Lassies Screaming Orphans, Kilmaine Saints, Crossing Celtic, Seamus Kennedy, Brian Gaffeny and Brendans Voyage, and the Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes and Drums and The Hunt, Broesler, McGinley and Culkins Schools of Irish Dance will all entertain from morning t’il night.

A special Twilight Concert has been added to this year’s Irish Festival. On Friday, July 13, starting at 5pm, several of your favorite bands will take the stage as the sun goes down, the grills light up and the party begins. The Twilight Concert is sponsored by the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The concert will close with The Rogues – voted the #1 Celtic Band Worldwide.

The Annapolis Irish Festival is committed to giving back to the community. The Hospice of the Chesapeake, The Chesapeake Bay Trust, SPCA of Anne Arundel and the Wellness House, Annapolis are all beneficiaries of the Festival.

For more information, check them out on facebook or at www.annapolisirishfestival.com