Pittsburgh Irish Festival Announces its 25th Anniversary Programming

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and expanding awareness of the region's rich Irish culture, is pleased to announce its 2015 programming for the 25^th Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival taking place Sept. 11-13, 2015 at the Riverplex at Sandcastle.

"Over the past 25 years, we are proud to have grown the Pittsburgh Irish Festival into the largest Irish festival in the region, hosting more than 25,000 attendees each year," said Nan Krushinski, co-founder and executive director of Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc. "These patrons continue to come back each year for all that the festival has to offer."

"There are so many stories to share, from the music to the food, Irish culture, family fun and so much more," added Maura Krushinski, co-founder and administrative director of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc.  "It's our hope that our festival patrons each experience these unique stories at the 25^th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival."

What's new at this year's Pittsburgh Irish Festival:

• Cultural and Dance Stage: To accommodate all of the wonderful dance groups and cultural aspects of Ireland, this stage will feature performances by Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Festival musicians and world champion Irish step dancers.
  
  
• Session Tent: Musicians are encouraged to bring their instrument to get into the festival for free. Join other musicians and play your favorite Irish songs throughout the weekend!
  
  
• Irish Doll Display:  One of the ways in which some of Ireland's culture and history are captured is in the Irish doll.  This year, the Irish Cottage Educational Display continues the tradition by featuring some of the dolls that celebrate the rich heritage of Ireland.
  
  
• Irish Author's Corner:  Learn about Ireland and its lore while meeting visiting authors.  Buy a book, get an autograph, and hear the authors' tales at the Hedge School.

Several musical acts that will be sure to rock your experience at the festival include:

• Gaelic Storm: After 10 albums and over 3,000 live shows, the multi-national and chart-topping group has blended tradition with innovation and earned a reputation as a genre-bending band. The greatest-hits album spans the bulk of the band's career, mixing crowd favorites and concert staples with three previously unreleased recordings, including "Whiskey in the Jar" and "Irish Party in Third Class" from Titanic.
  
  
• Red Hot Chilli Pipers: Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show so hot it carries its own health warning. The band's achievements have reached incredible heights with their fusion of traditional Scottish music and Rock/Pop Anthems, also having performed at the 2012 Olympics in London.
  
  
• Makem & Spain: Once considered the new kids on the block, Makem & Spain have honed their craft over nearly two decades of international performances.
  
  
• The Willis Clan: A family band of 12 siblings that are musicians, dancers, athletes, writers and artists. Living near Nashville, the family merges their Irish roots with other music and dance genres to create a unique blend of the old and new. They currently have a reality show called "The Willis Family" on TLC about their large, musical family.
  
  
• We Banjo 3: We Banjo 3 is from Galway, Ireland and combines Irish music with Old-Time American and Bluegrass influences. When this band of brothers take flight in a wave of virtuosity, feet tap and pulses race.
  
  
• The High Kings: The High Kings showcase their versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between them bringing a rousing acoustic flavor to brand new songs as well as some old favorites.

Other festival favorites include:

• Irish Food and Drink: Five authentic Irish food purveyors will be serving up a variety of time-honed, homemade dishes from classic family recipes, in addition to vendors serving traditional festival favorites. Irish specialties include Irish sausage, Irish stew, boxty pancakes, corned beef and cabbage, Dublin Coddle, salmon, Shepherd's Pie, colcannon and much more! The Festival's Tasting Tent also features whiskey and Magners Irish Cider tastings throughout the weekend.
  
  
• The Marketplace: A favorite area of the festival where unique shopping at more than 50 specialty booths display a variety of Irish items for sale, from specialized clothing, a piece of art, interesting trinkets and more.
  
  
• Irish Dog Tent: Visit with dogs native to Ireland! Meet breeds such as Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, Kerry Beagle, Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier and more!
  
  
• Children's Arts, Crafts and Games: For the wee folk! Take home a hand-made souvenir, enjoy an Irish story, sing-a-long and even dance an Irish jig!

Festival hours are Friday, 9/11 from 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9/12: 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 9/13: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information on the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and for the 25^th Anniversary program and rundown of events, visit pghirishfest.org.

About Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc.
The Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation created to contribute to the rich cultural awareness of Irish history and tradition that exists in Pittsburgh. In addition to our three day "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Festival," the Pittsburgh Irish Festival has expanded into a year-round resource for education and cultural programs through the creation of the Irish Education Outreach Program. The Program's primary objective is to create a higher awareness of the ethnic richness and significance of the Irish and Irish-American culture and presence, from both a historic and contemporary perspective.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150820/259927

SOURCE Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc.

Related Links

http://pghirishfest.org