IRISHFEST LA CROSSE CULTURAL TENT

The Irishfest Cultural area celebrates Ireland and Irish/Celtic heritage through music, dance, literature and history.

Music - We bring many musical acts to our stage, some born and raised in Ireland and others whose only connection is a love of the Irish culture. Seamus Kennedy is back this year! A special guest from Ireland will again be joining us Friday and Saturday – Shane Hennessy, virtuoso guitarist, who has established himself as one of the leading guitarists on the world stage, known for his fingerstyle, flatpicking and percussive guitar playing approaches.

Dance - High energy performers from Amanda’s Academy will dance traditional Irish soft and hard shoe to jigs and reels. ClogJam will take the stage with La Crosse’s own Amadans Band clogging (anAmerican Folk Dance heavily influenced by the Irish).

Literature & History – Literature and history of Ireland are represented through exhibits and displays. Meet author, Eliza Watson on Friday & Saturday. She has written a mystery genealogy series and a book on genealogy research tips. Enter the land of Irish Fairy Forts and learn more about how they came to be and affected the culture. These are NOT the whimsical, sweet fairies. While most Irish myths have disappeared over time, the fairies still have a prominent place in Irish culture and they are still an essential part of Irish folklore. They are believed to live underground beneath grassy mounds that dot the Irish landscape.

Get inspired by the Fairy Fort Display and paint a picture to take home. Join a free adult painting class to be held on Saturday at 2:15pm and 4:30. Materials will be provided with step by step guidance from Mary Kulas. Sign up will begin at noon in the back of the Cultural Tent. Limited space available.

Sunday activities include Mass at 10 am, Fiddle Contest at 11:00am and immediately following the Fiddle Contest, Bingo hosted by Rotary East.

Check out the Irish Pub at the back of the tent to sit and relax throughout the day or stop and chat with members of the La Crosse Bantry Friendship Association about the partnership with our sister cities Bantry, Ireland.

ARTS TENT

The Arts Tent is an extension of the Cultural Tent. This area features workshops on storytelling, a ceili workshop with Seo Linn, presentations by Prof. Ken Shonk on the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (Peace Treaty), genealogy session by Author, Eliza Watson on “Getting Out of the Archives and Into the Pubs to Trace Your Irish Ancestry” and a session on travel tips to prepare for a trip to Ireland.