16th Annual Southern Illinois Irish Festival Oct. 5-7 | Community Spirit

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - You might think Oktoberfest this time of year, but in Carbondale they're thinking more along the lines of St. Patty's day.

That's because this weekend, Celtic heritage was cause for celebration.

This weekend there were the sounds of bag pipes fill the air, jousting, highland games and of course, food at this year's festival.

The Irish Festival will started on Friday night October 5 with an indoor acoustic concert featuring acclaimed Scottish singer/guitarist Ed Miller, a native of Edinburgh.

Ed specializes in songs of Robert Burns and other traditional Scottish songs. He lives in Austin, Texas, where he hosts “Across the Water” on the University of Texas public radio station.

The Festival’s Celtic Fair took place at Turley Park throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, October 6-7, with two stages of music and dance, Liam the Giant Leprechaun, Highland Games, Professor Play, children's activities, a bouncy castle, a bagpipes demonstration tent hosted by Sean Folsom, Celtic merchandise vendors, food and drink, and much more. Saturday hours are 10-6, and Sunday hours are 11-5. 

Saturday’s Celtic Fair performers included Carbondale’s Irish band The Dorians, Johnston City Celtic duo Roisín Dubh, Irish & early American singer E.L. Kurtz, Shaina’s Strings, dancers and musicians from St. Louis Irish Arts, St. Louis Irish fiddler Kevin Buckley & Irish singer/guitarist Patsy O’Brien, and cameo appearances by the evening concert headliners Ed Miller and Chicago Reel.  Sunday’s “Celtic Roots, American Traditions” lineup includes local favorites Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin, The Bankesters, The Rural Kings, The Dorians, and The Bone Dry River Band.  

More details are available on the Festival website, www.silirishfest.org.

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