Fox Valley Irish Festival expands offerings

After 16 years, organizers of the Fox Valley Irish Fest are still coming up with ways to make it more attractive to families.

Since the beginning they have booked Celtic music and Irish dancers. They invited restaurants owners to not only serve traditional Irish food, but those who serve pizza, hamburgers and Mexican treats.

As years passed, they added events such as the Jig Jog foot race and vendors who sell jewelry, clothing and Irish memorabilia. This year, the race will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.

The trick to putting on a successful three-day festival, one that has attracted as many as 6,000 people, is to always expand the attractions, said Dan Biggins, chairman of the 20-member organizing committee.

“This has become one of the biggest festivals in the Fox Valley area,” he said. “It takes months to plan.”

When the festival opens at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at St. Catherine Church in West Dundee, it will probably live up to his expectations. If the basic attractions such as food, music and dancing do not appeal to families, the new attractions will, he said.

For one, a two-day $20 admissions pass will be offered. And for another, more Irish dancers and more Irish cuisine are on the program.

“We also won’t be charging admission to the children’s play area as we have had in the past, and we’ll charge only half price for admission on Sunday, the last day of Irish Fest,” Biggins said.

That means children will be able to make jewelry, have their faces painted and create their own family crests without their parents paying an additional admission charge.

One-day admission will be $10, and Sunday’s admission will cost festival goers $5.

Along with the additions, the staples will still be part of the fest. A grand prize drawing of $10,000 will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at the church. Tickets are $100 year and only 400 will be sold.

An entire schedule of events can be viewed at: foxvalleyirishfest.com/index.htm.

If you go

What: Fox Valley Irish Festival, featuring music, dance, food, a marketplace, a 5K and fun run, and kids’ activities

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9-11

Where: St. Catherine of Siena Church, 845 W. Main St., corner of Route 31 and 72, West Dundee

Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors, children 12 and younger free; three-day pass $20 adults; Sunday only, $5 adults

Details: foxvalleyirishfest.com; (847) 426-2217