Put on your favorite green attire and head on over to the 4th Annual Annapolis Irish Festival to be held on Friday, July 11 from 4 pm- 10 pm & Saturday, July 12, 2013 from 11 am- 10 pm at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, MD. The Festival, presented by Budweiser, will be a celebration of Irish traditions and customs and will feature local and international Celtic bands, step dancers, pipes and drum corps, entertainers, and children’s activities. In addition, there will be over 90 vendors offering authentic Irish foods and crafts and wares, providing a real “Irish Experience.” A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit Hospice of the Chesapeake, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Anne Arundel Medical Center and Make a Wish Foundation. There is free parking on-site and general admission tickets for adults are $15.00 on Friday and $20.00 on Saturday with children 12 and under are free. For tickets or more information, log onto www.annapolisirishfestival.com or find the Annapolis Irish Festival on Facebook. The Westin Annapolis Hotel is the Official Hotel of the Annapolis Irish Festival and is offering special rates and packages for festival attendees.
“We are proud once again to share Celtic traditions, customs and the rich ethnic history of the Green Isle. With this year’s contributions, we will exceed our five year goal of giving back over $100,000 to local non-profits and that’s a good feeling,” said Eddie McGowan, festival organizer.
The Annapolis Irish Festival will feature premiere musical groups performing on three stages throughout the weekend on Galway Bay Pavilion, the Greene Turtle Shamrock Stage and the Fado Hill Stage. Popular bands include Albannach, Carbon Leaf, Dublin Five, Gaelic Storm, Kilmaine Saints, Screaming Orphans, Scythian, Seamus Kennedy, The Fighting Jamesons, The Gothard Sisters, and the Moxie Strings. Additional entertainment to keep the crowd moving will include the Chesapeake Caledonian Pipe Band, the Teelin Irish Dance Company and the Broesler School of Irish Dance.
“Little Leprechaun Land,” a FREE family friendly area, will be open on Saturday from 11 am- 5 pm where the wee ones will enjoy pony rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, games, music and magic shows as well as a bouncy castle and Irish step dance lessons. And, there will be a wonderful array of vendors showcasing authentic Irish foods, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and much more.
