Know Before You Go: 32nd Annual Manhattan Irish Fest Set To Paint Town Green

MANHATTAN, IL — Got your green garb ready to go? It's about time to paint the town green for Manhattan's 31st annual Irish Fest Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7.

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," Tim Brophy, executive director of nonprofit Irish American Society of County Will told Patch previously. Brophy organizes the festival alongside his brother Mic. It's carried out with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers.

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.

The forecast Friday is calling for thunderstorms and high-60s; Saturday is looking like low-60s and rain in the morning. Don't worry; the tent is heated and will keep you dry.

Entrance buttons are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. The last chance to purchase is advance is Thursday. You can purchase in advance online. 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, and they become collectibles. Buttons can be purchased in advance at locations below. Supplies might be sold out, so call ahead:

• Ace Hardware, 210 State St., (815) 478-3317
• Berkot's, 100 Market Place, (815) 478-4127
• Citgo: 270 W North St,. (815) 418-3212
• First Bank of Manhattan, 550 W. North St., (815) 478-4611
• Fritz's Saloon, 225 S State St., (815) 613-6972
• Gallagher's Pub, 160 E North St., (815) 478-9803
• Brookhaven Financial-Hannigan Insurance Agency, 405 S State St., (815) 478-9848
• Manhattan-Elwood Library, 240 Whitson St., (815) 478-3987
• Manhattan Village Hall, 260 Market Place, (815) 478-3483
• BMO Harris Bank, 505 S State St., (815) 478-3202

Attendance helps to award scholarships, brighten military lives, create programs for area children and promote local businesses. More than $800,000 has been distributed back to the community via volunteers, raffle tickets & scholarships. Main event sponsors this year include Xfinity, Hawk Auto, Gallagher's, and more. Find all sponsors online.

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 with stops along the way. Stops will include:

1. Betsy’s / CD Liquors
2. Berkot’s
3. St. Joe’s Kids Area
4. Red Caboose
5. Gallagher’s & Midtown
6. Berkot’s
7. Craft Fair 12 to 3 p.m.—Manhattan Intermediate School
8. Betsy’s / CD Liquors

Last pickup from the main tent will be at 10 p.m.

Find live entertainment under the main tent Friday from 5:30 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. Tent opens at 5 Friday and closes at 11 p.m. Tent opens at noon Saturday and closes at 10 p.m. Children are allowed in the tent only Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. No strollers allowed. A full schedule of tent entertainment is available online.

Top entertainers include:

• Larkin & Moran Brothers
• Reilly
• Finbar McCarthy
• Whiskey Mick
• Whiskey of the Damned
• Ann Hatfield and Friends
• Two from the Gallows
• Providence Catholic Pipe Corp.
• Emerald Society Pipes & Drums
• Sullivan School of Irish Dance

Get in on shenanigans around town. Irish Fest gear is available for purchase under the main tent.

Festive wear and accessories also available at:

• Posh West Boutique, 125 S. State St.
• Fritz's Saloon, 225 S. State St.
• Gallagher's Pub, 160 E. North St.
• Whitmore Ace, 210 S State St.

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 7 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 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Also on Saturday:

• 9 a.m.: Irish Mass at St. Joseph, with tea and Irish soda bread to follow.
• 1 p.m.: In a women's rugby match, Shamrocks & Morrigans battle against invading hordes at Manhattan Central Park.

ROAD CLOSURES

For Saturday

• 10:15 a.m.: Manhattan-Monee Road will be closed. Police encourage residents who live on the southeast end of town to exit via Route 52 prior to that time.
• 10:30 a.m.: Route 52 will be closed. At that time, all traffic entering or exiting the southeast portion of town should use Eastern Avenue at Route 52.

Kids Area

Entrance button required

St. Joseph's 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 a DJ, in addition to concessions, and a photo booth. On Saturday, they will be hosting an all-ages fun fair from 12:30 to 4 p.m. A magic show will thrill, and various crafts, games and activities will be available for children of all ages. Free to children under 8 with a button-wearing adult. Anyone 8 and over must have a button.

Craft Show

Admission is $3, or FREE with Irish Fest button

Featuring 50 vendors, the Craft Show organized by the GFWC IL Manhattan Woman's Club will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Manhattan Intermediate School, 15646 W. Smith Rd. Vendor lineup available on the event's Facebook page.

Parade

The always-popular parade will step off at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 7 beginning on North Street then proceeding to State Street. This year's grand marshals are Skip and Alice Kraus, of Kraus Cable.

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.

5K

Registration is $40, and as of Monday, March 2, 26 spots remain. Sign up online.

The race was selected as part of the R.R.C.A (Road Runner Club of America) Championship circuit for the state of Illinois. A sweeper will be at the end of the race, they will maintain a 22-minute mile pace per mile. Stay ahead of the sweeper to be guaranteed an official time at the finish. Course marshals will be on course until the sweeper passes them. The race continues to be recognized as a USATF timed course. Find any info you need regarding packet pickup, shuttle, and awards online.

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.

Since 2017, the Irish Fest has returned $575,000 to local non-profits and charitable organizations.

Also around town:

MANHATTAN IRISH FEST AT THE STUDIO

• D.Marie.Photography, 114 S. State St.
  • Saturday, March 8: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free group photos, Free cookies from Amber's Custom Cookies and GS Troop 75749 selling GS Cookies.

Michael J. McHugh Memorial King & Queen Scholarships

The Manhattan Irish Fest has awarded $40,000 in scholarships since 2004. Each recipient is given $1,000 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." McHugh 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. McHugh gave back to his community in many ways and loved to talk about his Irish Heritage, officials said.

This year's recipients—Lincoln-Way West students and Irish Fest King Ryan Hayden and Queen Eileen Zheng—will be recognized on Saturday afternoon.