The Penn's Landing Festival always draws a big crowd.
Yes, we know you’re Irish, and your idea of picture-perfect weather is, oh, say, 50 degrees, overcast and drizzly.
Well, we’re afraid you’re just going to have to suffer through the (we always hope) lovely, warm late-spring weather of the Penn’s Landing Irish Festival. Somehow, we guess you’ll muddle through—perhaps with the aid of a few cooling beverages and a fresh breeze off the Delaware.
Anyway, we hope we’ll see you on Sunday, June 7, from noon ’til 8 p.m. down at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut. For sure, you don’t want to miss it. Why not? Well, if for no other reason, let us tempt you with just one word: Blackthorn. And this great Philly Irish band will be joined on the Penn’s Landing stage by several other outstanding musical acts, including the Bogside Rogues, the Birmingham 6 and Local Traffic. Round Tower, always a popular act, will be back this year. Expect a few sing-along tunes from entertainer Timmy Kelly, as well.
Of course, there will be plenty of great food and drink on hand to keep you refreshed while you rock out to the music. And this year, says organizer Michael Bradley, there will be more vendors than ever. “We probably have about 30 vendors,” he said. “we had eight when I took it over. It’s really taking off now.”
There will also be traditional music in the festival tent, and entertainment by many of the Delaware Valley’s popular and hugely energetic Irish dance schools, including a new entry this year, the Reel Colleens.
The annual event is nothing if not kid-friendly, featuring all kinds of entertainment for the younger set, including face-painting.
Best of all, admission is free.
The annual waterfront celebration of all things Irish is actually a couple of weeks early this year. “We moved it up two weeks because otherwise the festival would have fallen on Fathers’ Day,” explained Bradley.
Lest we forget, the festival falls on a Sunday, but you can still make Mass. An open-air service starts at 10:30 at the nearby Irish Memorial. “Then you can walk right over and start hanging around and having a good time,” Bradley said.
Of course, the festival takes a few moments to honor some of our favorite people. Singled out this year: Emmett Ruane, former owner of the popular Emmett’s Place on Levick Street; Bob Kelly and Kathy Orr of CBS3, which televizes the annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade; and Mike Driscoll, the very generous owner of Finnigan’s Wake.
For a complete schedule visit: www.philadelphiastpatsparade.com and look up Penn’s Landing Irish Festival on Home page.
