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Bagpipes, Guinness, More Guinness: Irish Heritage Fest Returns This Weekend

By Alex Nitkin | July 7, 2017 6:13am
 A bagpiper plays an Irish tune at a previous year's festival
A bagpiper plays an Irish tune at a previous year's festival
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Kathy O'Neill

CHICAGO — The Irish American Heritage Center's 32nd annual summer festival promises to transform the building into a three-day bonanza of uniquely Celtic music, food and games this weekend.

The Irish American Heritage Festival will host vendors selling eats like corned beef sandwiches, fish and chips, and "Irish egg rolls," spokeswoman Kathy O'Neill said. A full bar will include Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks.

The event will also include a wide array of hand-made art and cultural activities, including Irish language lessons and step-dancing demonstrations, O'Neill said.

Kids can also enter into a singing contest that invites them to "belt out a weepy Irish ballad for prizes," she added.

Dozens of Irish music acts are lined up for all three days, including folk bands like Gaelic Storm and We Banjo 3.

The festival runs at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., from 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight on Saturday and noon-11 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets cost $15 each and can be bought online or at the door.