If St. Paddy’s Day once a year isn’t enough for you, then you’re in luck, because every summer there’s another celebration of all things Irish heritage – Irish Fest.
It’s a weekend of listening to lively music (including bagpipes!), watching dance performances, eating your fair share of spuds and other novelty Irish foods, sipping on some Jameson, and this year, you also have the chance to watch sheep herding – because why not?
We talked with their team to learn more about the history of Milwaukee’s Irish Fest and what people can expect this weekend.
Sláinte!
How did Irish Fest get started and when?
Milwaukee Irish Fest was founded in 1980 by attorney, musician, and cultural advocate Ed Ward, who believed Irish culture deserved to be celebrated in a way that went beyond stereotypes. He set out to create a world-class celebration that welcomed everyone whether they had Irish ancestry or not.
The first Milwaukee Irish Fest premiered in 1981 on a shoestring budget led by Ward and a group of twenty volunteers. The team spent months planning the three-day event, incorporating an extensive lineup of musical entertainment and cultural programming. They decided in its earliest stages to book acts that would appeal to multiple audiences. The 1981 entertainment lineup included acts from all these genres: folk, traditional, Irish American, and even bluegrass. This philosophy of booking diverse entertainment continues to this day.
Throughout the decades, Milwaukee Irish Fest built its reputation by presenting internationally renowned artists alongside emerging talent from Ireland, investing in authentic cultural programming, and creating an experience that people wanted to return to. The festival’s leadership and volunteers continually pushed to raise the bar for what an Irish festival could be. As word spread throughout the global Irish music community, more artists wanted to perform in Milwaukee, more visitors traveled to experience the festival, and the event programming continued to expand.
Based on the event’s success and overwhelming interest by those in attendance, Milwaukee Irish Fest has come to be known as the premier celebration of Irish music and culture in North America and features over 100 music and cultural acts across four days. Today, the festival has over 4,300 volunteers who work tirelessly to make the festival successful year after year.
We love sharing this video from our founder that was recorded back in 1981, where he talks a bit about his vision for the festival!
What has the annual attendance been like?
Milwaukee Irish Fest has experienced periods of growth, challenges, and evolution over its four decades of existence. The festival has adapted to changing audiences and changing entertainment trends and even unprecedented moments like the pandemic. Through it all, the organization’s mission has remained consistent: celebrating Irish music and culture and inspiring future generations.
While attendance can vary from year to year, with an average of 100,000 across four days, the festival’s cultural, economic, and international impact has never been stronger and continues to grow in ways that extend far beyond a single weekend each August. Today, Milwaukee Irish Fest is a significant driver of tourism and economic activity for the Milwaukee region, welcoming visitors from across the United States and around the world. The festival fills hotels, supports local restaurants and businesses, and generates millions of dollars in economic impact for the community each year.
What does it mean to have Irish Fest in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee Irish Fest has become more than a festival. Over the past 40 years, Irish Fest helped foster the audience and community that gave Irish dance schools, musicians, cultural organizations, sports clubs, and community groups room to grow. Today, Greater Milwaukee is home to more than 15 local Irish and Celtic bands, ten active Irish organizations, and eight Irish dance schools.
Milwaukee itself also played an important role in that success. The city’s longstanding tradition of celebrating ethnic heritage through its summer festival season created the perfect environment for Irish Fest and other Irish organizations to thrive. Just as important was the availability of the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park, which gave Irish Fest the ability to expand its stages, cultural programming, marketplace, and family activities.
The community embraced the event from the beginning, allowing it to evolve from a new cultural festival in 1981 into an internationally recognized destination over the next four decades. Irish Fest organizers say they are incredibly proud and grateful to be part of the “City of Festivals.”
How does Milwaukee’s Irish Fest compare to other Irish cultural festivals in the US?
Milwaukee Irish Fest has always been guided by one goal: creating an authentic, immersive experience that gives people a genuine taste of Ireland through its music, culture, food, language, sports, history, and traditions.
Beyond the festival, Irish Fest is a proud member of the Association of Irish and Celtic Festivals, where organizations across North America come together to collaborate, share best practices, and learn from one another.
Irish Fest also has a foundation, which was established in 1994 to invest in other Irish and Celtic festivals, organizations, and projects with grants that help preserve and promote Irish culture in communities across the globe. Since its creation, the Irish Fest Foundation has granted more than $600,000 to non-profit entities in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Canada, and throughout the United States.
What can people expect to find at this year’s fest?
- Sheep herding demonstrations (new!)
- Ally the Piper (viral internet bagpiping sensation)
- Irish and Irish American authors in the Literary Corner (hello book lovers!)
- Gardiner Brothers (viral social media dancing duo)
- Exclusive Jameson whiskey cocktails, authentic Irish cuisine, and new mocktails
- Celtic Canines (meet and pet nine different Irish dog breeds)
- Gaelic Storm
How many musical acts will there be?
Over 80 musical acts will perform throughout the four-day festival.
Over 300 performances are scheduled across 17 stages.
From Japan to Wisconsin, artists who perform Irish and Celtic music come from across the world to perform at the premier celebration of Irish music and culture, right here in Milwaukee.
Admission to the festival includes access to all 17 stages of entertainment + family activities.
Do you have any unique facts or stories that you think people would find interesting?
Ireland’s President Mary McAlesse visited Milwaukee Irish Fest in 2005 to celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary.
You can find Ireland’s oldest drink, dating back to medieval times, at Irish Fest! Try Bunratty Meade, and learn how the term “honeymoon” comes from this Irish libation.
Céad míle fáilte! A hundred thousand welcomes are waiting for you this weekend at Milwaukee Irish Fest.