As you know, the Irish Festival is this upcoming weekend! We know you are extremely excited like us!
For those who are new to this, North Wildwood hosts the largest Irish Festival on the East Coast every year. This year the event is being held on Thursday Sept 19th – Sunday Sept 22nd.
The festival is located on Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Events include but are not limited to; a golf tournament, Irish dance lessons, 5K run and 1 mile walk, pipe exhibition, food court stage and beer garden, and Catholic Mass.
On Thursday, the golf tournament starts at 1pm at the Cape May National Golf Club.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the FESTIVITIES will take place on Olde New Jersey Avenue. Here the street vendors will display their Irish memorabilia, and the food vendors will offer a variety of Irish and non-Irish treats. This activity begins at 8 AM each morning and continues until 7 PM.
On Friday and Saturday there will be free LIVE ENTERTAINMENT continuously from noon until 8:30 PM. Saturday begins with a 5K RUN. If you are interested, you can sign up at 8AM at the AOH tent (between 1st and 2nd Avenues) on Olde New Jersey Avenue. Cash prizes will be awarded. For additional information on the run visit TheIrishJog.com.
On Friday and Saturday there will be free LIVE ENTERTAINMENT continuously from noon until 8:30 PM. The National Anthem will be sung at noon. Featured performers include: Shenanigans, Broken Shillelaghs, Birmingham 6, Timmy Kelly, Galway Guild, and Ballina. In addition, Irish Schools of Dance will perform throughout both days.
On Saturday at 10 AM the BRIAN RILEY PIPE EXHIBITION will take place at Bill Henfey Park located at 8th and Central Avenues, North Wildwood. This event attracts thousands of spectators every year. Come see and hear some of the best pipe bands in the East! Also on Saturday, the AOH will host free IRISH DANCE LESSONS at the Elks Lodge, Chestnut and Olde New Jersey Avenues from 10 AM until noon. All are welcome.
On Sunday, everyone is welcome to celebrate our faith and heritage at Saint Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in the Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues, for 10:30 AM MASS. There will be a procession starting at the main entrance to the altar by the Protectors of the Faith Guards, the Cape May County Emerald Society Honor Guard and a liturgical bag piper soloist.
On Sunday at 12:30 PM, the PARADE begins at 20th and Surf Avenues and will continue to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues. Once again, we are honored to have Seamus Boyle, Past National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as a special guest. The parade also will feature Miss North Wildwood, Charlotte Mendelson, many fraternal organizations, bag pipe bands, Irish dance groups and much, much more.
I hope this answers many of your questions! For a bullet point version of the schedule CLICK HERE
Before you go, check out our Wildwood videos and articles below!
