Students from the Flynn School of Irish Dance in West Peoria pose at last year’s Erin Feis. The school will perform again at this year’s festival, which kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and runs through 6 p.m. Aug. 28, at the Peoria riverfront. (Photo by Denny Sievers courtesy of Erin Feis)

When the public flocks to Erin Feis on the Peoria riverfront this weekend, the Irish festival’s planners hope people will wonder if they’re in the Emerald Isle or the River City.

“When you cross the railroad tracks (on Water Street), we want you to think you’re coming to Ireland,” said John Martin, who’s co-chaired the three-day event for the past 20 years.

Erin Feis kicks off this year at 4 p.m. Friday and runs through 6 p.m. Sunday at 201 Water St. Tickets at the gate are $8 before 5 p.m. and $10 after 5 p.m. or $15 for a weekend pass.

The festival, which celebrates all things Irish from music to food to sports to history, has grown tremendously since it was first held in 1981 at the Peoria Knights of Columbus.

“The Saint Patrick Society of Peoria had Erin Feis the first year they were formed as a way to raise funds to pay for the St. Patrick’s Day parade,” said Martin.

The first Erin Feis lasted eight hours and attracted 800 people, offering food, drink, Irish merchandise and, of course, local bagpipers. It continued as an annual one-day event in a few other locations over the years, including the German-American Society grounds at Hickory Grove in North Peoria, until it moved to the riverfront in 1997 and became a two-day festival.

In 2002, Erin Feis expanded to the three-day event it is today, attracting thousands of people from central Illinois and beyond.

Martin attributed the festival’s long success and growth to a couple of factors.

“First, there are a lot of people with Irish roots in Peoria,” he said. “And the event itself over the years has grown in popularity because we’re attracting better forms of entertainment. We’re showing not just entertainment, but the culture of Ireland, the products they make, their lifestyle, things about their history. It’s just a fun weekend.”

To be sure, having Irish ancestors isn’t required to attend Erin Feis.

“The wannabes enjoy it too,” Martin quipped. “It’s a very pleasant, family-oriented atmosphere. It’s nice and cool in the evening, and there’s usually a nice breeze on the river.”

Erin Feis regulars will notice a few changes this year in terms of the festival’s layout.

The Irish band We Banjo 3 plays for an appreciative crowd at last year’s Erin Feis. This year’s Irish festival will feature three bands from Ireland, one from Scotland and about 15 from North America. (Photo by Denny Sievers courtesy of Erin Feis)

“We are moving stuff around,” Martin said. “The growth has been phenomenal over the last five years in particular, so we needed to branch out a little more. We’ve moved the dance stage and other tents a little further out on the perimeter to make more room in the center.”

The dance stage—featuring Irish dancers from schools and studios around the area—is being moved to the CEFCU stage, where there will be more room for both the dancers and the spectators, Martin said.

This year’s festival will feature three bands from Ireland, one from Scotland and about 15 from North America. All will play some type of Irish music from very traditional to Celtic rock.

The bands from Ireland are Socks in the Frying Pan, Runa and Ruaile Buaile. The band Daimh hails from the West Highlands of Scotland.

The Elders, an Irish rock band from Kansas City, are returning to the festival after last playing here about eight years ago. “They were going up the ladder when they came to us the first time. Now they’re one of the main acts in Milwaukee, and they play all over the country,” Martin said.

Regional and local bands include Chicago Reel, the Drovers, Brazen Head and Bogside Zukes.

“There’s definitely something for everybody,” Martin said of the music, which will play on various stages throughout the festival. Some of the band members also will be giving demonstrations of their instruments and playing shorter sets in smaller tents when they’re not on stage.

The Springfield-based Ancient Athletics group will be holding traditional sporting competitions on Saturday and Sunday, with players competing to gain points to participate in a world competition in Scotland.

“We have a local group of Irish young gentleman who are going to take on the Scots in a demonstration on Saturday (at noon), so that will be interesting,” Martin said.

A kilt-wearing competitor throws a stone during the athletic games at last year’s Erin Feis. The Springfield-based Ancient Athletics group will host an official Highland Games competition at this year’s festival on Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 28. (Photo by Denny Sievers courtesy of Erin Feis)

The cultural village will feature an exhibit on Irish dominance in the sport of boxing in the 19th and 20th centuries, along with Gaelic lessons, Irish cooking demonstrations and a chance to learn about how to research your Irish genealogy.

The kids’ area will have various activities from games to farm animals and will feature the always popular “freckle and red hair” contest.

Food and drink will be plentiful, including Irish whiskey tasting, all for various fees.

“We expect 14,000 to 16,000 people to attend over the three days,” Martin said.

Cindy Mansfield of Pekin, who’s Irish on her mother’s side, has been attending the festival since it started.

“I enjoy the outdoor Mass with the bishop on Sunday morning, followed by an afternoon of Irish dancers and music on the various stages,” she said.

The annual Erin Feis Catholic Mass begins at 10 a.m. in the North Stage tent. Anyone donating a non-perishable food item at the entrance prior to the Mass will receive free admission to the festival grounds. The food will be distributed to local food pantries.

Anyone wearing a kilt on Sunday will also be granted free admission. Admission is also free before 5 p.m. Sunday. Children under 12 will be admitted free throughout the festival but must be accompanied by an adult.

A core committee of about 30 plans the festival throughout the year, and more than 400 volunteers help make it a reality, Martin said.

For more information about Erin Feis or to sign up to volunteer, visit the website at www.erinfeispeoria.com.

— Erin Feis expected to draw thousands for three-day weekend fest —