After plans for the inaugural festival got scrapped last year due to the pandemic, West Suburban Irish will be finally putting on their first Naperville Irish Fest this weekend.
On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 6-7, there will be live music, sports, dancing, food, and fun during a family-friendly festival at the Frontier Sports Complex, 3880 Cedar Glade Road in Naperville. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Be a part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the first to enter Irish Fest at 2:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at the west gate.
Paddy Homan will sing the national anthems for the United States and Ireland, and the Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville will play traditional pipe and drum favorites. And West Suburban Irish’s very own St. Patrick will be there to bestow his blessings for a successful fest. Bring your ticket or purchase it at the gate, and be sure to get there by 2:30 p.m.
One-day tickets are $10 online until Thursday, Aug. 5, or $15 at the gate for anyone 16 or older. Two-day tickets are $15 online until Aug. 5 or $30 at the gate. Children, age 15 or younger, are free. For tickets, go to www.wsirish.org.
Due to personnel shortages and the safety concerns of the carnival workers, fest organizers have withdrawn the carnival rides from the list of events. But there will be plenty of fun-filled activities for all ages throughout the park for everyone to enjoy. Free parking is available at Neuqua Valley High School and in the parking lot on the corner of Book and Conan Doyle Roads, which is on the east side of Frontier Sports Complex. There also will be bike parking near the Naperville Irish Fest entrance. Complimentary bus transportation, courtesy of Quigley’s Irish Pub, will be available between the main area and the 95th Street Library on both days.
Hurling & Camogie
Learn about the ancient Gaelic Irish team sport still played today with members of Naperville’s very own Hurling & Camogie Club.
In the Hurling Batting Cage, learn how to swing that hurley and knock the sliotar (ball) out of the park during festival hours. All ages are welcome. Hurleys and sliotars provided or bring your own.
There will be demonstrations and hands-on hurling between 3 and 10 p.m. Friday or noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
See how far you can hit the sliotar (ball) with a hurley stick during the Hurling Long & Straight Shooting Contests from 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Everyone is welcome to give it a shot. The winner will be announced on Saturday between 9 and 10 p.m.
Watch four area clubs competing in a tournament between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday on the Hurling/Camogie Pitch, with the championship game from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The tournament will feature the Naperville Hurling Club, Hurling Club of Madison, Milwaukee Hurling Club, and the Michael Cusack Hurling Club (Chicago).
For kids
There will be many activities for children, including bounce houses and face painting, from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Take a photo with the Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Friday. He’ll also be giving out some White Sox swag while supplies last.
