Iowa Irish Fest 4 A Huge Success.

A half dozen or so years ago my husband Jim got it into his head that he wanted an authentic Irish pub in downtown Waterloo, IA. He researched the topic of Irish pubs (often through first hand experience with famous Irish pubs across the country as he traveled) and the history of the Irish in America. He worked with designers and architects and, sure enough, now we have a beautiful and fun Jameson's Public House not a block from his law firm. Not long after that he began to think that pub should be involved in community activities that would draw people to the to what had been a dying downtown area. Why not an "Irish Fest", on a smaller scale but akin to the fests that they have in Milwaukee and several other cities. There was no such festival in Iowa, so why not an Iowa Irish Fest?? He worked hard to promote this idea, found sponsors and a great group of volunteers and in 2007 Waterloo hosted the first Iowa Irish Fest. Even though that first event began a little rainy the attendance over the three days exceeded expectations and the reactions so positive that there was immediately interest in planning the next year's fest. 

The 4th annual Iowa Irish Fest took place this last weekend and it was bigger and better than ever. With music and Irish dancing on 3 different stages, vendors of Irish (and other) foods and goods, contests (like the "Best Legs in a Kilt Contest", Celtic sports demonstrations, kids' activities, an outdoor Sunday church service and authentic Irish breakfast there is something for everyone. Among the exceptional performers on the main stage were the internationally acclaimed Trinity Irish Dancers and hugely popular bands such as Gaelic Storm, Dublin City Ramblers, The Killdares, The Elders, The Prodigals, Scythian and The Crossing. Our talented friends Jim Sullivan and Gerry Field had standing room only whenever they performed in the pub. These and so much more all for a mere $10 for a 3 day pass!! A full bus as well as a half dozen or so cars of our Chicago Irish family and friends (and about 25,000 others) arrived to join the celebrations and a great time was had by all. 

Here are 2 samples of the fun music we had this weekend: A song especially for the Chicago 

"South Side Irish" by Jim and Gerry and "Me and the Moon" by Gaelic Storm.