Experience
Festival Hours:
Friday, July 24, 5.30 p.m -11 p.m
Saturday, July 25, 11.30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission is FREE
Huntingdon Culture & Workshop Area
Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Session Tent & Instrument Petting Zoo
Join Irish Musicians, of all skill levels, and pull up a chair to join in jigs, reels, and the energy that comes with a community-driven Irish session. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, this is the perfect place to play, listen, or simply soak up the rich, vibrant atmosphere of a true Irish session! Bring your own instruments, borrow one of ours, or take a chance playing a first note in the instrument petting zoo. You may even get the opportunity to sit down and play along with some of your favorite artists and headliners.
Irish Wake
Learn about rituals, games, storytelling, and decorum celebrating life and ensuring a proper send-off through an Irish Wake. Chief mourners and tradition explainers Cathy Jo and Steve keep this area lively and fun for all ages. For more information, please visit www.irishteller.com
Family Crest Art
Join K12 Gallery and TEJAS Artists to create and imagine your family crest. This project is friendly for all-ages and sure to be a fun memory Maker. K12 Gallery & TEJAS is an artist-centered regional visual arts center offering innovative visual arts programs for all ages in the Miami Valley, Ohio. These programs include art classes, in school and after school hands-on making programs, summer art camps, field trips, professional exhibitions, public art, workshops, community outreach, and art parties for all ages.
Create a Brigid’s Cross and Explore Irish Genealogy
Visit Author Cindy Thomson to create your very own Brigid’s Cross and explore Irish Genealogy. This kid-friendly and quick craft offers a quiet moment of focus between dancing jigs, enjoying food, and shopping throughout the festival. Cindy’s deep knowledge and experience writing both non-fiction and novels makes this table a must-see.
Explore Scottish Heritage
Visit Clan Stewart Society in America (CSSA) where children and young people alike can create their own tartan and color pictures of Irish Wolfhounds, Unicorns, and other scenes from Ireland and Scotland. You can also stop by to meet Storm, the Service Dog.
The Society is a welcoming nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and exploring the rich heritage of the Scottish House of Stewart and its descendants. They aim to inspire interest in their genealogical, cultural, and historical roots and to encourage research and understanding in these fascinating areas. Together with other Scottish groups, we help organize lively Scottish Festivals and Highland Games, creating opportunities for communities to connect and enjoy Scottish traditions.
We especially love engaging young people of Scottish descent by teaching them about Scottish folkways. We also offer scholarships to support study in Scottish arts, including dance, drumming, piping, and harp. If you’re interested in learning more about the Society or the services provided to members, please visit the website at clansstewart.org.
Scottish Heavy Athletics
While our festival space doesn’t offer enough space to host Highland Games safely, we’re excited for our friends at Sticks and Stones Heavy Athletics to join us in our tents to share some insight and help games-curious spectators and athletes alike get connected with games happening soon.
Special Workshops
Experience: The Uilleann Bagpipe with Larry Fortson
Schedule:
Saturday 5 p.m.
Sunday 4 p.m.
Larry Fortson will showcase the distinct sound and capabilities of the Uilleann Bagpipe- the national bagpipe of Ireland- while discussing and demonstrating various styles of Irish piping through solo and accompanied airs, marches, jigs, and reels frequently heard in traditional Irish music. You can also catch Larry Saturday at 3pm in the Guinness Beer Garden and frequently in the Sessions Tent
Presenter: Larry Fortson
Originally from Autin, TX, Larry primarily plays Irish uilleann pipes – but still plays both the Scottish Highland bagpipes and bellows-blown Scottish small pipes. He also plays Irish whistles, banjo, guitar, and recently started learning the Irish flute…but the uilleann pipes remain his favorite instrument.
Explore Irish Language with Devin Flanigan Blankenship
Schedule:
Saturday 1:30 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m.
Join Devin for an exploration of the Irish Language. Back by popular demand, this workshop is an engaging and fun way to explore something new or sharpen your skills.
Presenter: Gaeltacht Midwest (hosted by Indiana Celtic Community)
A native and lifelong resident of Bloomington, Indiana, Devin is an Irish language reclaimer – the first in his family to speak it since 1923. After pursuing the language independently and visiting Ireland four times over five years, he connected with other Irish speakers here in the American Midwest. He began hosting Irish language immersion events in 2009 and attended Irish language summer school in the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) in 2011, 2012, and 2022. He is a two-time recipient of the Gaeltacht Summer Study Award, which Fulbright Ireland administers. Devin continues to host immersion events and teach Irish around the Midwest. His favorite thing about being an Irish speaker is being a part of a tight-knit network of interesting people around the world, from the former president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to speakers on every continent!
Introduction to Irish Music: Daniel McKewen
Schedule:
Saturday 6 p.m.
Sunday 3 p.m.
Daniel McKewen, of The Drowsy Lads, takes you through a workshop highlighting what, why, how, and when to add dynamic and excitement to Irish traditional music!
Presenter: Daniel McKewen (Drowsy Lads)
Since a young age, Daniel has been drawn to music. With a foundation as a drummer, his guitar playing has been described at “driving” and “rhythmic”. At a later age he added the uilleann pipes to his arsenal. As a founding member of The Drowsy Lads Daniel has had the pleasure of playing and teaching at some of the largest Irish Music gatherings in the world.
Introduction to the Irish Bouzouki
Schedule:
Saturday 3 p.m.
Join Randy Clepper as he showcases the Irish Bouzouki. This workshop is sure to keep your toes tapping and put a smile on your face. You never know which special guests may join in the fun.
Presenter: Randy Clepper
Multi-instrumentalist Randy Clepper is in demand as a performer of Irish traditional music on cittern/bouzouki, fingerstyle acoustic guitar, tenor banjo, and hammered dulcimer.
Learn to Play Tin Whistle Workshop with The Riley School of Irish Music
Schedule:
Sunday 1:30 p.m.
An experienced instructor will help you create beautiful music transporting you to Ireland. Whether you play your first note at the festival or learn a new technique, this workshop is a favorite. Bring your favorite tin whistle or get your first tin whistle in the workshop.
Presenter: Riley School of Irish Music
Founded in 1996 by Susan Cross Gilligan, the Riley School of Irish Music is a community of children, teens and adults dedicated to the pursuit of Irish traditional music. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Irish music. We offer a wide range of classes and workshops for students of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Our experienced instructors specialize in traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhran, even traditional Irish singing.
For more information visit https://rileyirishmusic.com/
Play Story Bingo with Cindy Thomson
Schedule:
Saturday 12 p.m.
While listening to a story, you mark your card when you hear: a hero, a problem, a helper, a surprise, a funny moment, a brave choice, a happy ending.
Presenter: Cindy Thompson
Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of both novels and non-fiction books. She is co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival and vice president of the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to promote the legacy of this early twentieth century Hall of Fame baseball pitcher. She owns the team blog Novel PASTimes, a venue for readers of historical fiction. A genealogy enthusiast and traveler to Ireland, she writes from her home in Ohio. Visit her online at CindysWriting.com, on Facebook: Facebook.com/Cindyswriting, Twitter: @cindyswriting, Pinterest: @cindyswriting and Book Bub: @cindyswriting.
