Muskegon Irish Festival
Fáilte! That means welcome in Irish Gaelic, and you're welcome to join in the festivities at the Muskegon Irish Festival September 15-18 at Heritage Landing. Returning after a two-year hiatus, the festival is a four-day celebration of Irish culture through live music, food, beverages and entertainment. Drawing tens of thousands of people each year, it's one of the largest outdoor events held in downtown Muskegon and is a quick 15-minute drive from The Pidge Inn.
The Muskegon Irish Festival features six covered stages for live music and cultural entertainment. More than 25 local, regional and international bands will perform traditional Irish and folk music, contemporary Celtic rock, storytelling and more. A few of the sounds you'll hear at the festival include traditional Celtic music from Old Blind Dogs, up-tempo Irish tunes from the Barley Saints, Celtic punk from The Tossers, electric violin and cello from The Moxie Strings, and Celtic-American roots music from RUNA.
It wouldn't be a festival without great food and drinks. The Celtic Kitchen will feature authentic Irish fare such as corned beef sandwiches, potato soup, and bangers and mash. Plus, find all your festival favorites in the Food Court and grab a pint in one of three places: The Pub, The Tavern or Craic Alley. Muskegon craft brewers Unruly, Pigeon Hill and Fetch will have local beers on tap. New this year, whiskey service will be available at the three main bars and at the expanded craft beer area.
If you like Riverdance, you'll love the Feis – an adjudicated competition for Irish dancers – held in nearby VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center. Top finishers in the competition will perform in the festival's highly energetic Parade of Champions on Saturday evening. Visit the Irish Store and Marketplace to purchase gifts or a souvenir to remind you of your West Michigan getaway. The festival concludes with a huge Catholic Mass on Sunday morning, followed by a traditional Irish breakfast.
Other unique activities during this Celtic jubilee include a limerick contest, a songwriters circle, wool and flax spinning, and a lesson on how to play the bodhran, an Irish drum. Stay with us at The Pidge Inn and come see that Irish culture is about more than just Guinness. No matter what your ethnic background, everyone's Irish at the Muskegon Irish Festival. Erin go Braugh!
