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30 Irish American News “WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN GREEN!” August 2016
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Illinois’ Best-Kept
Secret: Peoria Erin Feis
What began as a municipal celebration of all
things Irish 35 years ago, has now grown into Illinois’
largest Irish festival outside the Chicago area.
And it’s drawing international attention.
Peoria Erin Feis – set for August 26, 27 and
28 this year – has been attracting bands from all
over the world for several years. It’s a three-day
extravaganza that features groups from Ireland,
Scotland and Canada, as well as from points across
the USA.
This year’s lineup will feature:
· Runa – One of Irish music’s new super groups, with
members hailing from Ireland, Canada and the US.
· Daimh – Lads from the West Highlands of
Scotland, this group carries their Gaelic tunes with
a progressive sound on a return trip to Peoria.
· Ruaile Buaile – From a small start in Offaly
to the world stage in only a
few short years, they are set
to become a household name
on the festival scene around
the world.
· The Elders – These Kansas
City, Missouri, favories bring
music rooted in Americana
and Celtic folk rock.
· Socks in a Frying Pan
– Multi-award winners from
County Cork return to triumph
over Peoria again!
The organizers of Erin Feis
have worked hard over the
years to learn from the success
of their better-known Celtic
festival brethren. “We visited
Milwaukee’s fest, Kansas City, Dublin, Gaelic
Park – all the best. And we’ve adopted their best
practices on a scale we can manage,” said Even
Co-Chairman, John Martin. “The result has been
steady growth year over year, and people returning
from across Illinois and out of state.”
The organizers’ loss of shoe leather has paid
great dividends for Peoria’s Irish Fest. It led to the
creation of a separate Dance Stage, which has performers
scheduled for all three days. The Cultural
Village’s offerings have grown exponentially in
interest and depth; this year featuring an exhibit
on Irish dominance in the boxing ring in the 19th
and early 20th centuries.
One cultural twist this year is a focus on Irish in
the movies, complete with a live Skype conversation
with a Dublin-based movie director.
Gaelic games – always a highlight, even for those
of an un-Celtic background – have been an Erin
Feis staple for years.
Tastings of Irish whiskies sell out every year.
Erin Feis will expand their offerings to a range of
Scotches, all with a learned emissary who will educate
the tasters’ palates about the varieties offered.
Other activities include Irish cooking, Gaelic
language sessions, Irish genealogy researchers,
and both Catholic and Celtic worship services on
Sunday morning.
But make no mistake: it’s the music, food and
drink that keep the audiences coming back to Peoria
every summer. Over the long weekend, nearly
50 performances on 6 stages will have Erin Feis
patrons spoiled for choice.