Know Before You Go: 30th Manhattan Irish Fest Set To Paint Town Green

MANHATTAN, IL — Got your green ready to go? Time to paint the town green for Manhattan's 30th annual Irish Fest Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2.

The Irish American Society of County Will (IASCW) is once again the official fest host in cooperation with the Village of Manhattan. What started with a "little party" to help raise funds for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce three years ago, has grown into a massive fest that draws thousands to the small town each year.

"It grew, and grew, and grew," said Tim Brophy, executive director of nonprofit Irish American Society of County Will told Patch previously. Brophy organizes the festival alongside his brother Mic.

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.

That might happen again this year—with forecasts calling for a sunny, 61-degree Saturday.

Entrance buttons are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Net proceeds go back into the community to organizations and clubs that provide volunteers. Each organization donates time to promote the fest, help run the fest, and sell raffle tickets. Admission to all festival activities, as well as the festival grounds, requires each visitor to have an admission button. Children 6 and under are free, when accompanied by an adult with button(s).

The buttons purchased for admission are a big draw for the event. Each year's pin is a different design, Brophy told Patch previously.

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

Buttons can be purchased in advance until Feb. 29 at several locations:

• Ace Hardware, 210 State St.
• Berkot's, 100 Market Place
• 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.
• Southside Tobacco and Vape, 24520 US 52
• Manhattan - Elwood Library, 240 Whitson St
• Manhattan Village Hall, 260 Market Place
• Roadhouse 52, 525 S State St.
• BMO Harris Bank, 505 S State St.
• Agave Azul, 330 W. North St.
• MidTown Bar, 100 S State St.

Attendance helps to award scholarships, brightens military lives, create programs for area children and promote local businesses. Main event sponsors include Tristar Cabinets, Hawk Auto and Lakeshore Beverage.

You don't want to miss anything, so hop on a free shuttle Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., with a shuttle cop on board from CD Liquors (at north) to Roadhouse 52 (to south) with stops along the way. Two shuttles will be running. Parking is free at the shuttle stops!

Find live entertainment under the main tent Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.

Some must-knows:

• Live entertainment under main tent Friday night 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday noon to 10 p.m.
• Irish music, Irish dancers, bagpipes
• Parade Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m., led by runners in the Irish Fest 5K race
• Kids area at St. Joe’s School, includes all-ages dance Friday night 6 to 9 p.m., and an all-ages fun fair Saturday.

• Craft Fair Saturday 9 am to 3 pm at Manhattan Junior High with more than 50 vendors
• Entrance buttons are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate
• More than $400k distributed back to the community via volunteers, raffle tickets & scholarships
• Mike McHugh Scholarship winners to be announced; two local high school students will be recognized.
• Shenanigans all over town in bars, restaurants, and businesses

Top entertainers include:

• Larkin & Moran Brothers
• Reilly
• Finbar McCarthy
• Coyote Riot
• Whiskey Mick
• Local favorites John Condron and Allison Flood’s new band, Crooked Tails

Kids Area

Entrance button required

St. Josephs School will be hosting an all-ages dance on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the school gym. Music will be provided by DJ Don Gray, concessions, and a photo booth. On Saturday, they will be hosting an all-ages fun fair from Noon to 4 p.m. A magic show will take place at 1 p.m., and various crafts, games and activities will be available for children of all ages.

Craft Fair

Entrance button required

The Craft Fair will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Manhattan Junior High School, 15606 Smith Rd.

Parade & 5K Race

The always-popular parade will step off at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 2 beginning on North Street then proceeding to State Street. The parade is led by runners participating in the Irish Fest 5K. The Prairie State Roadrunners will start the parade again by hosting the Manhattan Irish Fest 5K race. This race continues to be recognized as a USATF timed course.

Volunteers

The Manhattan Irish Fest Committee is strictly made up of volunteers from the IASCW and local community members and groups. Fest committee members volunteer their time and dedication to ensure that Manhattan Irish Fest succeeds.

Michael J. McHugh Memorial King & Queen Scholarships

The Manhattan Irish Fest has awarded $37,000 in scholarships since 2004. Each recipient is given $1000 toward college tuition of their choice

Mike McHugh was founding member of IASCW, and co-founder of Manhattan Irish Fest. In 2018 the Manhattan Irish Fest Committee official announced that the King & Queen Scholarship will forever be named the "Michael J. McHugh Memorial King & Queen Scholarship." Mike was a lifelong Manhattan area resident and business owner who dedicated himself to the community. He was a founding member of the IASCW in 1981 and one of the original founding organizers of the Manhattan Irish Fest. Mike gave back to his community in many ways and loved to talk about his Irish Heritage.