Just because it isn’t St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t mean the Irish don’t have cause to celebrate. It’s summer, and what better time for festivities than that! Lads and lassies, make your way to the third annual Charlotte Irish Summer Festival, which will celebrate all things Irish (including beer!) with a huge two-day outdoor festival in the streets of Uptown Charlotte. This year, Irish music will be provided by acts like Dublin City Ramblers, The Prodigals, Vertigo, Trad At Heart, McLean Avenue, The Fighting 86’s, My Three Kilts and more (See a detailed schedule from www.charlotteirishsummerfestival.com below. According to the Website, times are subject to change). But that’s not all. Rince na h’Eireann School of Irish Dance and Walsh Kelly School of Irish Dancing will spring forth with some serious footwork action, and there’s even going to be an attempt at setting a new world record for the largest choreographed riverdance. More fun and merriment is in the mix with food, drinks, and games, including a cornhole tournament. Continues on Sat., Aug. 15. Free entry. Begins at 6 p.m. on Friday; 12 p.m. on Saturday. Located at 3rd Street and Tryon Street.
Schedule for Fri., Aug. 14
6 p.m.: Kickoff Party for the Charlotte Summer Irish Festival at Connolly’s Irish Pub. Bands appearing include Dublin City Ramblers, Trad at Heart and McLean Avenue
6 p.m. -7 p.m.: Rince na h’Eireann School of Irish Dance and Walsh Kelly School of Irish Dancing
7:30 p.m.: McLean Avenue
9:30 p.m.: Trad at Heart
11:30 p.m.: Dublin City Ramblers
Schedule for Sat., Aug. 15
12 p.m. – My Three Kilts
1:15 p.m.: The Fighting 86’s
2:30 p.m.: Mclean Avenue
4 p.m.: Trad at Heart
6:45 p.m.: Dublin City Ramblers
8:30 p.m.: The Prodigals
10:15 p.m.: Vertigo
Other events happening during the day include a Gaelic games exhibition, Irish dance lessons, a world record attempt at the largest choreographed riverdance (at 4 p.m.), 3×3 soccer tournament, cornhole and beer pong.
This article appears in Aug 11-18, 2009.
Sucked. Told it would be free, but it was ten bucks a person. No facepainting, no dancing (while we were there) no face painting. The only good thing was the music.