IRISHFEST CULTURAL TENT

The Irishfest Cultural area celebrates Ireland and Irish/Celtic heritage through music, dance, art, literature and history.

Music - this intimate setting allows the audience to have a personal connection with the performers. Performers will share stories and insights into their songs, playing traditional pieces. If you have never made it into an Irish Pub this is a close representation without the price of an airline ticket.

Dance – Informative, high energy performers will dance traditional Irish soft and hard shoe to jigs and reels. Amanda’s Dance Academy students will perform. ClogJam will take the stage with La Crosse’s own Amadans Band. Clogging is an American Folk Dance heavily influenced by the Irish.

History – Our focus this year is the history of the Titanic. Learn interesting facts about the construction of the ship in Belfast, Ireland. There will be some Titanic related fun activities: follow the first route and final voyage; take your photo on the bow of the Titanic (including costumes), pick a passenger and follow them along their voyage to the end; see a replica of the Titanic and see the fateful iceberg that sunk it; balance on a replica of the deck; could you have been a trimmer on the Titanic - lift a shovel of coal and find out. Meander over to the Arts Tent for more history of the Titanic and Irish Ship Building along with some fascinating stories.

Sunday activities include Mass at 10am, a Fiddle Contest at 11:00am with Bingo hosted by Rotary East immediately following the Fiddle Contest (approximately 1:30). Cards will be $1 and prizes will be awarded. Bingo participants will need to purchase an Irishfest admission ticket at the gate to enter the Cultural Tent.

Arts Tent

The Arts Tent is an extension of the Cultural Tent. This area features workshops on storytelling, Irish Immigration, a ceili dance workshop with Seo Linn, presentations on the Titanic and Irish Ship Building, Irish Accents, Irish Rebel Songs.

Learn about La Crosse’s Sister City Bantry, Ireland. County Cork Councilor Danny Collins will share history and stories about his hometown of Bantry. Danny is leading a delegation of Bantry community representatives and business owners on their first visit to La Crosse and Irishfest.