Irish Fest 2018: When And How To Enjoy This Oak Forest Tradition

OAK FOREST, IL — The Irish Festival at Chicago Gaelic Park will celebrate its 32nd year when it gets under way Friday. Marking the unofficial start of the summer festival season in the south suburbs, the four-day event features music, performances and food

But like other summertime festivals, Irish Fest includes some time-honored staples. A petting zoo, magic shows, carnival rides and other attractions are all part of the celebration.

Gearing up to attend this year's Irish Fest? Here's what you'll need to know before you go.

Irish Fest 2018: The Basics

When: Friday, May 25, to Monday, May 28

Hours: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday; and 1 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Where: Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St.

Daily Admission: $15 for adults, but $10 in the first hour. Seniors and children ages 4 to 12 are $12. Kids 3 and younger are free. Admission covers performances, parking and unlimited carnival rides. Discounted four-day and single-day passes can be purchased at the fest's website until Wednesday, May 23.

More Info: Go to the event's website for details about the different musical acts that are scheduled.

Chicago Feis Irish Dancing Competition

Founded in 1959, this annual Irish dance competition is one of the longest running in North America and has become an Irish Fest tradition. More than 700 dancers will compete in the two-day event. The competition runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Performance Schedule

FRIDAY, MAY 25

Emerald Stage

4:15-5:45 p.m.: Gerard Haughey & Sean O'Donnell

6-6:30 p.m.: McCormack-Fay Dancers

7-8:30 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds

9-10:30 p.m.: The Gothard Sisters

Celtic Stage

4:15-5:45 p.m.: BackWest Music

6-6:30 p.m.: Eilish Sulivan School of Irish Dance

7-8:30 p.m.: Dancing Noodles

9-11 p.m.: Maggie Speaks

Crossroads Stage

5-5:45 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds

6:15-7 p.m.: The Gothard Sisters

7:30-8:15 p.m.: BackWest Music

8:30-10 p.m.: Liam Durkin

Tara Stage

4:15-5:45 p.m.: Joe Cullen

6-6:30 p.m.: Crosskeys Dancers

7-8:30 p.m.: Bernie Glim and Country Roads

9-10:30 p.m.: South City revival

Leprechaun Stage

4:30-5:15 p.m.: Measner's Magic

5:30-6:15 p.m.: Rob Nacu Magic

5:30-6:15 p.m.: "Tricks with Johnny"

7:15-8 p.m.: Rob's "It Looks Like Magic"

Performing Arts Stage

6 p.m.: “Tribute,” The Junior Gaelic Park Players

7 p.m.: “First Confession,” New Irish Literary Theatre

8 p.m.: “Tribute,” The Junior Gaelic Park Players

SATURDAY, MAY 26

Emerald Stage

2:15-2:45 p.m.: Foy Irish Dancers

3-4:30 p.m.: Larry Nugent

5-5:30 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Pipe Band

5:45-6:15 p.m.: Blackbird Academy of Irish Dancing

6:45-8:30 p.m.: Emmet Cahill

9-10:30 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds

Celtic Stage

2:15-3:45 p.m.: Rory Makem

4-4:30 p.m.: Maiden Street School of Irish Dance

4:30 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Pipe Band

5:15-6:45 p.m.: BackWest Music

7:15-8:45 p.m.: The New Invaders

9:15-11 p.m.: Rocks Off

Crossroads Stage

2:15-3 p.m.: Bernie Glim

3:15-4 p.m.: James Kilbane

4:30-5:15 p.m.: Sophie and Fiachra

5:45-6:30 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds

7-7:45 p.m.: The Gothard Sisters

8-8:45 p.m.: Rory Makem

9-9:45 p.m.: Larry Nugent

Tara Stage

1:45-3:30 p.m.: Turas

3:45-5:15 p.m.: The Gothard Sisters

5:30-7 p.m.: James Kilbane

7:30-9 p.m.: Sean Wilson and Tony Mac

9:30-11 p.m.: Joe Cullen and Friends

Leprechaun Stage

2:45-3:15 p.m.: Rob's "It Looks Like Magic"

3:30-4:15 p.m.: Mr Blarny's Illusions

4:30-5:15 p.m.: Nacu's Magic Tricks

5:30-6:15 p.m.: "Tricks with Johnny"

6:30-7:15 p.m.: Measner's Magic

7:30-8:15 p.m.: Mr Blarny's "Its Magic"

Performing Arts Stage

3 p.m.: “Songs of the Irish Harp,” Shari Sarazin

4 p.m.: “First Confession,” New Irish Literary Theatre

5 p.m.: “Tribute,” The Junior Gaelic Park Players

6 p.m.: “Songs of the Irish Harp,” Shari Sarazin

7 p.m.: “Tribute,” The Junior Gaelic Park Players

8 p.m.: “Vikings and Musicians Once Again,” Wildflower

9 p.m.: Sophie and Fiachra

SUNDAY, MAY 27

Emerald Stage

11:30 a.m.: Mass

1-2:45 p.m.: Turas

3-4:30 p.m.: Paddy Homan and the Noble Call

4:45 p.m.: Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society

5:30-7 p.m.: Emmet Cahill

7:30-9 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds

9:30-11 p.m.: BackWest Music

Celtic Stage

1-2:15 p.m.: Shepherd School of Irish Music

2:30-4 p.m.: Bohola

4:15 p.m.: Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society

5-6:30 p.m.: The Gothard Sisters

7-8:30 p.m.: Pigeon Kings

9-11 p.m.: American English

Crossroads Stage

1:15-2 p.m.: Paddy Homan and the Noble Call

2:15-3 p.m.: The Gothard Sisters

3:15-4 p.m.: James Kilbane

4:15-5 p.m.: Sophie and Fiachra

5:15-6 p.m.: bohola

6:15-7 p.m.: Sean Wilson

7:30-8:15 p.m.: BackWest Music

8:30-9:45 p.m.: Rory Makem

10-10:45 p.m.: Pigeon Kings

Tara Stage

3:30-4 p.m.: Lavin Cassidy Irish Dancers

4:30-6 p.m.: The Irish Musicians/Set Dancing With Terry Carmody

6:30-7 p.m.: The Dennehy Dancing School

7:30-9 p.m.: James Kilbane

9:30-11 p.m.: Sean Wilson

Leprechaun Stage

2:45-3:30 p.m.: Mc Measner's "Touch of Green Illusion"

3:45-4:15 p.m.: Rob's "It Must Be Magic"

4:30-5:15 p.m.: Don's " Magical Force"

5:30-6:15 p.m.: Tricks with Rob Nacu

6:15-7 p.m.: Measner's Illusions

7:15-8 p.m.: Mr Blarny's "Fun with Magic"

Performing Arts Stage

2:30 p.m.: “Songs of the Irish Harp,” Shari Sarazin

4 p.m.: “Vikings and Musicians Once Again,” Wildflower

5 p.m.: “Songs of the Irish Harp,” Shari Sarazin

6 p.m.: “Vikings and Musicians Once Again,” Wildflower

7 p.m.: Irish Storyteller: Tim O’Sullivan and Family

8 p.m.: Sophie and Fiachra

MONDAY, MAY 28

Emerald Stage

1-2:30 p.m.: Sean Wilson

3 p.m.: Memorial Day Salute

3:15-4:45 p.m.: James Kilbane

5:15-7 p.m.: Larkin & Moran Brothers

Celtic Stage

1:15-2:45 p.m.: Kieran Byrne

3 p.m.: Memorial Day Salute

3:15-4:45 p.m.: Pigeon Kings

5:15-7 p.m.: South City Revival

Crossroads Stage

2-2:45 p.m.: James Kilbane

3 p.m.: Memorial Day Salute

3:30-4 p.m.: Sean Wilson

4:30-5:15 p.m.: Sophie and Fiachra

5:30-6:15 p.m.: PigeonKings

Tara Stage

1:15-2:45 p.m.: Sophie and Fiachra

3:15-4:45 p.m.: Gerry & Kara Eadie

5:15-7 p.m.: Joe and Declan McShane

Leprechaun Stage

2-2:45 p.m.: Measner's Magic Pot 'O' Gold

3 p.m.: Memorial Day Salute

3:15-4 p.m.: Lets Smile with Rob Nacu

4:15- 5 p.m.: Measner's Illusions

5:15-6 p.m.: Tricks With Rob Nacu

Performing Arts Stage

2 p.m.: “Tribute,” The Junior Gaelic Park Players

3 p.m.: Memorial Day Salute

4 p.m.: Irish Storyteller—Tim O’Sullivan and Family

5 p.m.: “Tribute,” The Junior Gaelic Park Players

Photo via Patch archive