Fri 7/17-Sun 7/19
The Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, taking place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, is really big and a really big deal. It honors one of northeast Ohio’s most numerous ethnic groups — and no, they’re not ALL judges.
The entertainment, taking place on four stages, is huge (nearly 30 acts), with touring acts such as Solas, the High Kings, Ally the Piper, Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones, the Byrne Brothers and Screaming Orphans, along with popular local Irish bands such as Brigid’s Cross, the Portershanks and Marys Lane., as well as the West Side Irish American Club Pipes and Drums and the 87th Cleveland Pipe Band. Performing for the first time is the oddly named Stepdads of Galway which even more oddly features Cleveland comedian Mike Polk Jr. And of course every Irish dance school in the area will have its time onstage. There’s even a special stage for kids with magic, pirates and “Celtic Cinderella.”
And that’s just the start. You don’t have to simply watch: you can take part as well. There’s a try-a-harp demo, workshops to learn a variety of Irish dances, opportunities to meet the performers, cooking demonstrations, a contra dance, a “learn to speak Gaelic” class, and more. There are exhibits about Irish life, culture and history, Irish food and dance, and fun things for kids to do. Go here for tickets.