Attractions and Exhibits 

The Irish American Heritage Festival is the marquee weekend for the Irish American Heritage Center.  During the festival you will find numerous attractions and exhibits that are a sampling of what goes on throughout the year at the Center.

Come and enjoy the weekend's festivities!

Hours:

Friday, July 9:  6pm - 12am
Saturday, July 10: 12pm-12am

Sunday, July 11:  12pm - 11pm

 

Children’s Area

 

For a small daily fee children have full run of a moonwalk, face painters, picnic games and other attractions kids love.

Sham-ROCK Stars! - a singing contest for kids under 18. 

Due to the overwhelming popularity and the amazing talents discovered, we will once again be hosting the Sham-ROCK Stars! contest for budding young singers. 

 

Like the popular TV show, children will get a chance to sing an Irish song for a panel of judges and the final contestants will get an opportunity to perform on Sunday.  The winner is announced on the Main Stage Sunday evening.  The top performer will receive some very generous prizes!

Call the Irish American Heritage Center at (773) 282-7035 for registration information or register online. 

 

Mashed Potato Eating Contest

Held on Friday night of the festival, this hilarious contest pits champion eaters and any takers in a delicious bout of gorging themselves for a slew of prizes.

 

 

The Hooley Hook-up: Calling All Singles!
Kick off Irish Fest with an old fashioned hooley on Friday night. Featuring music and dancing, this is a new twist on an old theme. The Hooley features traditonal Irish Matchmakers to help you find that perfect Irish lad or lass. If the matchmakers can't help you, there'll be drink specials and other activities to help you find your perfect match.

 

 

Library, Art Gallery, and Museum

The IAHC boasts a Library along with an Art Gallery and Museum. All three are open during the festival featuring special exhibits, displays, book signings and other special attractions.

 

 

Arts and Crafts

Several local craftsmen and artisans will be demonstrating their craft and selling their wares.

 

 

Irish Import Stores
Visit dozens of import vendors selling everything from 

tee shirts to music to jewelry, all of Irish and Celtic origins.

Irish Dancing
Several of the top local dance schools will be performing over the weekend.

Food and Drink
There will be plenty of food and drink as local vendors will provide a nice array of Irish and American cuisine and refreshments.

Just added:

Hurling Demonstrations - Saturday and Sunday 4pm

 

 

Cultural Programs

 

The Tradition Continues includes presentations, performances and exhibits featuring art, music, theatre, literature, poetry and language, providing numerous opportunities to explore Irish heritage. Programs include:

 

 

 

 

Irish Language Lessons: Workshops will teach basic Irish greetings and conversation.

 

Introduction to the Book of Kells: This audio visual presentation showcases the illuminated manuscript transcribed by Irish monks around the year 800. The book is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and is regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure.

 

Irish Castles Presentation:  The great stone castles of Ireland were symbols of wealth and political power and have been permanent fixtures in the Irish landscape since the early 12^th century.  Discover Ireland’s beauty, rich history and architecture in this slide presentation on Irish castles.

 

Art Gallery: The art gallery features an exhibit on writer James Joyce and his epic novel, Ulysses. Leonid Osseny: 3 views of Ulysses, showcasese the work of Skokie artist, Leonid Osseny.

 

Museum: The museum will showcase special exhibits, including old photographs of sporting teams connected to Irish immigrants to Chicago.

 

The Library: Special exhibits include genealogy sessions, lectures by authors and a used book sale, featuring more than 1000 books on display.

 

One-act plays will be performed by Shapeshifters Theatre and Seanachai Children’s Theatre.

 

Hooliganism: Get jiggy with writer and actor Mike Houlihan as he entertains, cracking jokes, telling tall tales, chewing the fat, shooting the breeze, cutting the cheese and more as he talks about growing up Irish American in Chicago.

 

Irish Comedy Hour: Laugh out loud with standup comedy by comedian Alex Joyce and Friends.

 

The Tea Room: Sneak away from the festivities to enjoy a nice cup of tea and a sandwich, with live piano and harp music in the background to serenade you from 3pm-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Classical tenor and pianist Mark Piekarz performs on Saturday and on Sunday, Harper Lillian Reasor plays harp music.

 

Irish Fest Video Competition

Aspiring filmmakers can submit a 5 minute or less original short film for the Irish Fest Short Film Competition. Submissions must be in DVD format.

Submissions may reflect any genre and will be judged on the following criteria:

Content: narrative clarity and coherence, originality, and creativity

Technical excellence: editing, image quality, sound quality

General excellence: audience impact and cinematography

The deadline for video submissions is July 1, 2010. The winning video will receive $100 and will be featured at a showing during the Irish Fest this July.

To enter, send your DVD to:

 

IAHC

4626 North Knox Avenue

Chicago, IL 60630

Attn: Video

 

 

 

 

Check us out!