Get yer Irish on at the Rocky Mountain Irish Festival

St. Patrick’s Day seemed the appropriate time to post my article about the Rocky Mountain Irish Festival. As you know, the Mayor likes all things Irish and she likes Irish festivals most of all.

And as you can see by the adjacent photo, Leprechauns like me. By the way, being kissed by a Leprechaun gives you good luck for life, so obviously I am good to go!

I attended the first two years of this festival when it was the Fort Collins Irish Festival. Both times I had an absolute blast. The ambiance will be different this year because it isn’t being held in downtown Fort Collins, but it’s going to be an even bigger and more amazing, not-to-be-missed event.

In 2008 and 2009 the festival was held in downtown Fort Collins, Colorado. The first year attracted 4,300 festivalgoers and the following year that number more than doubled.

The event organizers had a hit on their hands and realized they needed a bigger space. In 2010, they planned to move the event to The Ranch in Loveland, Colorado. Due to unforeseen circumstances and a struggling economy, the 2010 event was cancelled.

This year the festival is back on and is going to be bigger and better than ever. Scheduled for  August 25-28, 2011 at  The Ranch, this event will be a celebration of Irish music, history and culture.

This year the festival welcomes the  NYPD Pipes & Drums, America’s oldest and largest pipe and drum band.  Rocky Mountain Irish Festival is currently seeking sponsors for the NYPD Pipes & Drums. If you or your company is interested, visit the festival’s website (link below).

One phenomenal exhibit this year is the  John F. Kennedy President Exhibit, a collection of over 350 pieces of memorabilia including personal items such as Tiffany cuff links, letters, 1960s campaign materials and more. The exhibit has been traveling the country for three years, but has never been exhibited at an Irish festival and has never been in Colorado.

There will also be comprehensive exhibits on The Great Starvation and Irish hero, Michael Collins. Returning to the festival are the Irish Archives, the Irish Surnames Exhibit as well as a number of independent exhibitors. The festival is expanding this year to include a smorgasbord of Irish authors and artists.

Also new to the festival is the  Rugby Border Wars between Colorado State University and University of Wyoming with the winner taking home the coveted Harp Trophy.

This festival always has an  amazing lineup of bands playing both  contemporary  and traditional Irish music. For a full line up of bands and other information visit Rocky Mountain Irish Festival online.

Website:  www.fortcollinsirishfestival.com

Visit the festival on Facebook  HERE.

Read a previous article about the festival  HERE.