Couples' 'Little Fest' Grows Into Manhattan's Beloved Irish Bash

MANHATTAN, IL — Two couples once thought they'd throw a little party to help raise funds for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Tim and Mary McGrath, with Mike and Mary McHugh, brainstormed the idea of an Irish festival nearly three decades ago—and apparently, they had no idea just how good of an idea it was.

"They were overwhelmed," said Tim Brophy, executive director of nonprofit Irish American Society of County Will. "They ran out of everything. It quickly outgrew their ability to do it."

The four turned to the society for help in keeping the (very new) tradition alive, and it's grown every year since, with attendance in the thousands. The fest is held in downtown Manhattan, and includes a 5K, parade, live music, food and a craft fair.

"It grew, and grew, and grew," Brophy said of the Irish festivities. Brophy organizes the festival alongside his brother Mic.

This year's fest will be held Saturday, March 4. The Village of Manhattan estimates that anywhere between 8,000 and 12,000 people deck themselves out in green and head to the center of the 10,000-person town. One year it was 70 degrees and sunny, and "we had 17,000 people in downtown Manhattan," Brophy said.

Another draw for the fest is the commemorative pin purchased for admission. Each year's pin is a different design, Brophy said.

"People collect them," he added. "Some people buy the button, and they don’t even show up!"

The structure of the event has changed slightly over the years, due to the event's increasing popularity.

"The larger it grew, the harder it was to run it," Brophy said. "If you’ll come help us and volunteer, we’ll split the profits with you. That’s the strategy we have."

The Irish American Society fronts the initial $55,000 to throw the fest, he said, which includes renting the tent and paying the entertainment. The button is $10 in advance, and $15 at the gate. Children under 7 are free. The money raised through admission and other costs goes toward the immediate cost to throw the event. Once expenditures are covered, the rest is divvied up among those involved.

"Church groups, baseball, food pantry groups," Brophy said, "They come in droves, it’s a really neat little recipe where they help, they get part of the profit back. That’s the idea—every dollar raised, after expenses—it’s all donated back to someone in the community."

The event kicks off with a 5K run that morning, followed by a parade. As the parade wraps up, runners are returning, and all head to the tent—where a special experience is waiting.

"After the parade, the Bagpipes and Drums of The Emerald Society comes in, they’re the first entertainment in the tent," Brophy said. "Everyone rushes to get in the entertainment tent—it’s really stirring, it’s really something."

Prior to even the 5K and parade, Friday evening, the event more informally opens with a dance for teens, and live music in the tent starting at 5 p.m. Acts that night include the Providence Catholic High School Pipes Corps, Hughes-Farrelly School of Irish Dance, Crooked Tails, and Reilly.

Saturday's acts start at 12:30 with the Emerald Society, followed by the Sullivan School of Irish Dance, Whiskey Mick, Finbar MacCarthy, Larkin and Moran Brothers, and Coyote Riot. A full line-up and times can be found on the Manhattan Fest website.

The craft fair is held at the Manhattan Junior High, and organized by the Manhattan Woman's Club. A kid-friendly stop with activities is also offered at Saint Joseph School, so parents can feel comfortable bringing their kids.

A grand marshal will be tapped to lead the parade, but they often keep that quiet until closer to the date, Brophy said—sometimes even a surprise until the day-of.

"It’s very informal," Brophy said. "We grab a regular town-folk, somebody from Manhattan that the locals know."

The event is a hit locally, with some visitors traveling from towns surrounding Manhattan for the event. The tent is always packed to capacity, Brophy said. The tent is reportedly the largest able to be rented in Illinois, he said.

"We’d like it to be larger," he said, "but we can’t get one."

Buttons can be purchased at:

• Ace Hardware, 210 S. State St.
• Berkot's, 100 Market Pl.
• First Bank of Manhattan, 550 W. North St.
• Fritz's Saloon, 225 S. State St.
• Gallagher's Pub, 160 E. North St.
• Hannigan Insurance Agency, 405 S. State St.
• South Side Vape/Tobacco, 24520 US-52
• MidTown Bar and Grill, 100 S. State St.,
• Manhattan-Elwood Library, 240 Whitson St.
• Manhattan Village Hall, 260 Market Pl.
• Roadhouse 52, 525 S State St,
• Manhattan Park District, 397 S. State St.
• Agave Azul, 330 W. North St.
• State Street Auto, 370 S. State St.