When: From Thursday, September 22 to Sunday, September 25
Where: North Wildwood Entertainment District (you can’t miss it!)
The 31st Annual Irish Fall Festival, the East Coast’s largest Irish Festival, comes to North Wildwood for another year of celebration.
Vendors with Irish merchandise will line Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25 from from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Irish memorabilia will be available for purchase along with Irish treats.
On Friday and Saturday, free live Irish entertainment will be on the main stage at Chestnut and Olde New Jersey Avenue from noon to 8:30 p.m. There will also be music in all pubs and taverns.
Performers will include Broken Shillelaghs, Birmingham 6, Timmy Kelly, Brothers McGillian, Natterjacks, Robbie and Tim, and Ballina. In addition, Irish Schools of Dance will perform throughout both days.
Festivities on Saturday will kick off with a 5K run and 1 mile family walk starting at 8 a.m. Registration will be held at the AOH tent located between 1st and 2nd avenues on Olde New Jersey Avenue, the day of the event. A $30 entry fee is required to participate. You can pre-register at RunSignUp.com/Race/NJ/Wildwood/IrishJog5K.
Saturday’s entertainment continues at Bill Henfey Park located at 8th and Central Avenues at 10 a.m. with the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition. The exhibition will feature some of the best pipe bands in the East. There will also be free Irish dance lessons on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon at the Elks Lodge located in the Festival District at 109 West New Jersey Avenue.
On Sunday, everyone is welcome to celebrate the faith and heritage of the Irish at Saint Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, located at Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues, for a 10:30 a.m. mass. There will be a procession from the main entrance to the altar by the Protectors of the Faith Guards, the Cape May County Emerald Society Honor Guard and a liturgical bag piper soloist. A special parade will follow the mass at 12:30 p.m. at 20th and Surf Avenues, continuing to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues.
Once again, the AOH is honored to have Seamus Boyle, Past National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as a special guest. The parade will feature many fraternal organizations, bag pipe bands, Irish dance groups and much, much more.
This festive four-day event is sponsored by James J. Reilly, Division 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). The AOH is an organization which fosters and preserves Irish culture and heritage.
For additional information about the 31st Annual Irish Fall Festival, please call 800-IRISH-91 or visit www.CMCAOH.com.