MUSKEGON, MI -Irish culture, heritage, food and music will again be celebrated in person on the shore of Muskegon Lake this week with the Michigan Irish Music Festival kicking off Thursday, Sept. 15.
From September 15-18, festival goers will be able to return to Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon, where over 25 musical acts will perform on six covered stages.
The 2021 event was canceled due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic with rising cases in Michigan and in 2020, the festival was held virtually.
This year’s event, sponsored by Family Financial Credit Union, kicks off with the Pub Preview on Thursday with food, beverages and music in the Pub tent only. Three bands will be featured beginning at 5:15 p.m.
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The full festival will open on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers say the festival has activities for all ages, including a Cultural and Dance Stage, Wee Ones’ Area, and shopping at two locations – the Irish Market and Irish Store. There will be a new whiskey service at the expanded craft beer area.
On Sunday, Sept. 18, there will be free entry to the festival from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A Catholic Mass will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a traditional Irish breakfast.
Attendees can also catch cultural shows, storytelling and educational seminars at the Blarney, Galaway and Hedge School stage.
The Celtic Kitchen, adjacent to The Pub overlooks Muskegon Lake, allows providing easy access for festival patrons. Vendors under the tent will be serving a variety of Irish favorites including corned beef and bangers & mash.
Advance tickets and passes for the festival are available online through Wednesday, Sept. 14. Tickets are $10 for Thursday, $15 for Friday, $25 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Kids age 12 and under get in for free.
See the schedule of the bands performing below:
Thursday, September 15
Pub Stage
5:15 p.m. – Crossbow
7:00 p.m. – The Friel Sisters
9:00 p.m. – Old Blind Dogs
Friday, September 16
Cork Stage
5:15 p.m. – The Friel Sisters
7:15 p.m. – Old Blind Dogs
9:30 p.m. – Scythian
Kerry Stage
5:30 p.m. – One for the Foxes
7:15 p.m. – Aoife Scott
9:15 p.m. -The Elders
Belfast Stage
5:30 p.m. – RUNA
7:30 p.m. – Barley Saints
9:45 p.m. – The Tossers
Pub Stage
5:00 p.m. – Kennedy’s Kitchen
6:45 p.m. – The Moxie Strings
8:30 p.m. – Rory Makem
10:00 p.m. – Shane Hennessy
Galway Stage
6:00 p.m. – Hooley
7:15 p.m. – Ian Gould
8:15 p.m. – Sound Writers in the Round
Saturday, Sept. 17
Cork Stage
11:15 a.m. – Crossbow
12:45 p.m. – Irish Music All Stars
3:00 p.m. – Tiónol
5:15 p.m. – Aoife Scott
7:30 p.m. – Scythian
9:30 p.m. – Old Blind Dogs
Kerry Stage
11:30 p.m. – Enda Reilly
1:30 p.m. – Moxie Strings
3:45 p.m. – The Alt wsg Kevin Burke
5:30 p.m. – Kittel and Co.
7:15 p.m. – Shane Hennessy
9:15 p.m. – The Elders
Belfast Stage
11:15 a.m. – Conklin Ceili Band
1:00 p.m. – Black Murray
2:30 p.m. – Blackthorn
4:30 p.m. – One for the Foxes
6:15 p.m. – Barley Saints
8:00 p.m. – Connla
10:00 p.m. – The Tossers
Pub Stage
11:15 p.m. – Uneven Ground
1:00 p.m. – Toby Bresnahan
2:45 p.m. – Kennedy’s Kitchen
4:30 p.m. – Rory Makem
6:15 p.m. – The Drowsy Lads
8:15 p.m. – The Friel Sisters
10:00 p.m. – RUNA
Sunday, Sept. 18
Cork Stage
11:00 a.m. – Catholic Mass / Kennedy’s Kitchen / CG Music
1:00 p.m. – Kittel and Co.
2:45 p.m. – Aoife Scott
4:30 p.m. – Old Blind Dogs
Kerry Stage
11:00 a.m. – Ian Gould
12:30 p.m. – Shane Hennessy
2:15 p.m. – The Alt wsg Kevin Burke
4:15 p.m. – Scythian
Belfast Stage
11:30 a.m. – The Drowsy Lads
1:15 p.m. – Irish Music All Stars
3:00 p.m. – Blackthorn
4:45 p.m. – Connla
Pub Stage
11:00 a.m. – Toby Bresnahan
12:15 p.m. – Enda Reily
1:30 p.m. – The Friel Sisters
3:15 p.m. – Rory Makem
5:00 p.m. – One for the Foxes
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