Above / During opening ceremonies for 2021 Naperville Irish Fest, Marjorie O’Dowd welcomed Southpaw, the mascot for the Chicago White Sox, as well as many past St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshals. For the 2022 event, gates open at 3PM Fri., Aug. 5.
Update, July 20, 2022 / West Suburban Irish President Mike Reilly addressed the Naperville City Council Meeting on July 19 during public comments, expressing gratitude for the City’s active support of the organization’s St. Patrick’s Parade and the Naperville Irish Fest.
Reminiscing about the first Naperville Irish Fest nearly a year ago, Reilly noted planners are looking forward to much greater turnout beginning at 3PM Fri., August 5 and noon Sat., August 6, at the Frontier Sports Complex.
“There’ll be a lot of food, a beer tent and Irish Wolfhounds for kids…And a lot of music and Irish dancing,” said Reilly, promising a full-filled family weekend.
Original Post, July 12, 2022 / The Second Annual Naperville Irish Fest, a two-day family-friendly festival, is set to begin at 3PM on Fri., Aug. 5, 2022. Organizers say “the fun continues Friday until 10PM and begins again on Sat., Aug. 6, 2022, from 12 noon to 10PM.”
Naperville Irish Fest again is presented by the West Suburban Irish (WSI) and will be held at the Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Road, just south of 95th Street in Naperville.
“There is an incredible music lineup with classic Irish music to contemporary performers. Irish dancers will be performing on stage and teaching how to dance the jig throughout the festival,” noted Terry O’Dowd, Event Founder and Co-Chairman with his wife, Marjorie O’Dowd.
“Leprechaun Landing has children’s activities until 7PM both nights and a Children’s Parade on Saturday afternoon for all to join in,” added Terry O’Dowd. “The Naperville Irish Fest is open to everyone. A good time is to be had by all.”
“The Naperville Irish Fest has activities for all ages to enjoy, music, dancing, food, beer tents, children’s activities, an Irish Village, Hurling/Camogie, storytelling, scavenger hunts, Irish wolfhounds, bagpipes and more,” said Marjorie O’Dowd. “We really wanted it to be family focused, celebrating Irish culture and tradition.”
West Suburban Irish, Inc. is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. For more than a quarter century, the fun-loving group has brought the rich Irish culture and tradition to thousands of people in the western suburbs of Chicago through parades, trivia games, charitable giving, cultural events, travel and more.
Win Trip to Ireland!
The drawing for the Trip to Ireland will be held at 6:15PM on Sat., Aug. 6, on the Main Stage.
For tickets, volunteer opportunities, and to get the latest updates on Naperville Irish Fest, visit wsirish.org.
Guinness and Harp | More Irish Bands | Irish Food | 15+ Vendors
Editor’s Note / Because of Irish Fest, WSI Quiz Night at Quigley’s will not take place on its regularly scheduled first Tuesday in August and September. The next WSI Quiz Night is set to begin at 7PM Tues., Sept. 13, 2022. Thereafter, WSI Quiz Night returns on the first Tuesday most months.
Click here for James Hoch Photography with memories from 2021 Naperville Irish Fest.
