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Irish Festival this weekend in Peoria

Posted August 22, 2007 11:00 pm

Danielle Hatch

It's hard not to love a country that produces such delights as Guinness, U2 and jack-o-lanterns. And whether or not you're Irish, you can probably find something to get wound up about at Erin Feis on the Peoria riverfront.

The festival, now in its 27th year, will feature the usual suspects - Irish food, sports and, of course, beer. But there are some new additions to this year's celebration, such as an Irish street dance and a performance by Beoga, a band straight from the old country. Here are a few of the highlights you'll find:

Let's hear it for hurling

No festival would be complete without a show of physical strength. Organizers of India Fest adore their cricket; and the Germans love their log-sawing contest. Erin Feis offers hurling, a cross between hockey and soccer in which two teams of 15 players each hit a sliotar (ball) with hurleys (sticks). The St. Louis Hurling Club and the Milwaukee Hurling Club - which calls hurling the "fastest sport on grass" - will square off at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Other Celtic games, like a sheaf toss and a stone throw, will be featured on Sunday. An ancient athletic demonstration is set for 1 p.m.

Kickin' it at the ceili

A ceili (pronounced kay-lee) is an Irish street dance, which, according to Erin Feis co-chair John Martin, originated in Ireland during a period when dancing was banned by the English. People would meet in secret and spontaneously break into dance - think Kevin Bacon in "Footloose."

"They used to meet at the intersections and the country lanes on weekend nights and people would bring their instruments and they'd play music and they would dance. ... That's what we're trying to recreate here," Martin said. The ceili will go down at 8 p.m. Friday.

Music from the motherland

Beoga is a five-piece band from Ireland that features dueling accordions and a bodhran champion. The band, which was listed as best newcomer in traditional music in Irish Music Magazine in 2005, will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday in O'Neill's Pub

.

Food and drink

You don't have to wait until St. Patrick's Day to feast on corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie and reubens. But maybe you're not into Irish food at all, and that's OK, too. There also will be traditional fair food, like corn dogs, hamburgers and hot dogs, ribs and pulled pork, smoothies and funnel cakes.

Ireland has one of the highest per capita consumption of beer in the world, so it's only natural that Erin Feis would feature an old-school watering hole. O'Neill's Irish Pub will feature live music and Irish brews such as Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks, a beer that was originally produced in St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny, where monks had brewed ale since the 14th century.

In addition to fun for the grown-ups, there is also plenty of entertainment for the wee ones

A children's area will feature kid games, a craft area and potato sack races, a Celtic drawing contest, face painting and miniature golf. The winners of a freckle contest earn a T-shirt and the honor of walking in the St. Patrick's Day parade. "There's stuff for people of all ages," said event organizer Bill Roeder. "If you have kids, feel free to bring them because they'll fit in."

Festivalgoers can explore their heritage in a cultural area. There will be information on the history of Irish families in central Illinois, an exhibit on Irish in music - from 18th century entertainers to U2 to local bands - and a literary corner featuring Irish books and magazines. You can learn about the effect the potato famine had on the Irish living in the U.S., and shop for handmade jewelry and other goods from Ireland.

Erin Feis weekend is packed with events, from children's activities to worship services. Live music on two stages includes Bloomsday, Bogside Zukes, Exorna, The Kells, Larkin Brothers, The Searsons, SullivanBurton and Switchback.

Other highlights include:

Ryan returns to festival

Detroit-born Irish American Cathie Ryan will perform at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday and 3:45 p.m. on Sunday on the North Stage. The Los Angeles Times calls Ryan, who is featured on more than 40 compilations, one of the leading voices of Celtic music.

Worship services

Bishop Daniel Jenky will host a liturgy for peace and justice at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at the North Stage, and a donation of non-perishable food items earns free admission. Also at 10:30 on Sunday is a Celtic worship service grounds led by Rev. Anna Saxon and members of Westminster Presbyterian Church at the Celtic Cross on the festival grounds. Music begins at 10 a.m.

World War II ship to dock

World War II naval ship LST 325 will be docked at the riverfront just north of the Murray Baker bridge and will be open for tours daily from 9 to 5 p.m. through Aug. 28. Tickets cost $10/adults, $5/children. Visitors to the ship will receive $2 off admission to Erin Feis.

If you go

u When: 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday; noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

u Where: Peoria riverfront, at Water Street and Hamilton Boulevard.

u Cost: Tickets are $7 per day for adults, free for kids younger than 12. Three-day passes are $12. Free admission Friday 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

u For more information, visit: www.StPatPeoria.com or call 689-3019.

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