The third weekend of August every year in Milwaukee all the Celts of the midwest be they Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Britons or Isle of Mann converge on the Summerfest Fairgrounds at the Milwaukee Lakefront for four days of great Celtic music, dance and culture. This year the anticpated 150,000 plus vistors were able to enjoy the festival thanks to a truly enjoyable weekend of warm weather and clear skies.
Festival goers sampled this year's Scottish Music Sampler thanks to the Scottish Arts Council and were finally able to sample some Irish liquid fare... Jameisons Irish Whiskey, sampled and sold for the first time on the grounds. As usual AirLingus had their great festival travel deal to Ireland, despite an increase in airfair, festival goers were able to book a flight to Ireland via Chicago for $358 round trip.
The Cultural area was busy as usual with an excellent display of the archival records of Irish Arts in both traditional and popular music. The genealogy tent sponsored by Ancestry.com was a very busy place as they had people on hand to help navigate the Irish records found on this popular online site. As usual there were our furry friends in the Irish Kennels: Irish Wolfhounds, Kerry Terriers, Irish Terriers and of course Irish Setters.
Those seeking a bit of a break from the heat could sit along the shaded lakefront and watch the currach races on both Saturday and Sunday. For those who were more daring there was the dance floor in the dance pavilion as well as the court at Crossroads. Though not quite like the Highland games with their heavy sports, again this year local teams competed in the Tug of Wars and in Hurling.
But for many they were there for the music.... with five main stages throughout the park and many smaller stages tucked in tents and in hideaways, there was something for everyone at this year's Irish Fest be it the traditonal sound of the Makem Brothers or the clash of Celtic rock of the Peatbog Fearies. The following are just some of the scenes of the day....
Some of the great music talent...
Irish Dancing....
Plenty of pipe music....
Billy Mitchell Pipe Band and Caladonia Dancers's 28th
apppearance at Irish Fest.
Kilts big and small....
A boy never forgets his first kilt and sporrin...
Scottish Highland Dancing...
with the Caledonian Dancers.
The Clergy blessed the weekend...
with great weather for a grand hooley for all.
