Last night was the beginning to the Irish Fall Festival and today begins the vendors and all day activities associated with the weekend. Vendors with Irish merchandise will line Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood, Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Irish memorabilia will be available for purchase along with Irish treats sure to satisfy any palate. Free live entertainment will also be featured along Olde New Jersey Avenue from 1 – 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Scheduled acts include: Dolly McGee, Mary Pat Hastings, Timmy Kelly, Moira McKinney-Maestro, Ballina, Broken Shillelaghs, Celtic Pride and Birmingham 6, Bare Knuckle Boxers, plus many more! Additionally, Irish Food and entertainment will be available at most pubs and taverns in North Wildwood all weekend long.
Festivities on Saturday, September 25 kick off with a 5K Run starting at 8 a.m. Registration for the 5K Run will be at the AOH tent, located between 1st and 2nd Avenues on Olde New Jersey Avenue. Various prizes will be awarded following the 5K Run. A $15 entry fee is required to participate.
Saturday’s entertainment continues at 10 a.m. with the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition, located at 8th and Central Avenues. The exhibition will feature some of the best pipe bands in the East. Also, don’t miss out on the opportunity to partake in FREE Irish dance lessons from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Anglesea Volunteer Fire House, located at Second and Olde New Jersey Avenues. Later that evening there will be a traditional CEILI, taking place at the Anglesea Firehouse from 7 – 11 p.m.
On Sunday, September 26, everyone is welcome to celebrate in the faith and heritage of the Irish at Saint Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, located at Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues, for an 11 a.m. mass. The Irish Fall Festival comes to an end after a special parade on Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. at 24th and Surf Avenues and continuing to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues. Once again, the AOH is honored to have Seamus Boyle, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as a special guest.
