Peoria Irish Fest - Erin Feis

The last weekend in August every year, St. Patrick Society of Peoria partners with the Peoria Park District to host the Peoria Irish Fest on the Peoria RiverFront. Over the years, Peoria Irish Fest (Erin Feis) has grown from a Sunday afternoon picnic to a 3-Day Irish Festival. Although the venue has changed and the scope of activities and entertainment has grown exponentially since that first picnic, we still provide a time and place for friends and families to join together and share their interest in Irish traditions.

The first day of Peoria Irish Fest is called “The Gathering,” the second is “The Day,” and last is “The Scattering.” During the three days of the event, attendees can enjoy a variety of musicians from around Peoria, the country, or the world, playing both traditional and more modern Irish music, Irish dancers from a variety of Irish Dance Schools, and learn more about Irish traditions in our Cultural Village.

Also featured during the festival, an Ancient Athletic sporting competition is conducted featuring the Sheaf Toss, Caber Toss, Stone Put, Hammer Throw, Braemar Stone/Open Stone—heavy weight for distance and light weight for distance.

On Friday, the Happy Hour 5K race goes along the riverfront, with participants getting free fest entry.

On Sunday, attendees can participate in a Catholic Mass where canned goods are collected for local food pantries.

Find out more about the festival by visiting www.PeoriaIrishFest.com or by following them on Facebook and Instagram @peoriairishfest.

The first Erin Feis was held at the Knights of Columbus, Council #427 shelter in North Peoria in August 1980. Due to the great success of the first Erin Feis festival, the event was moved to the Exposition Gardens Exhibit Hall and remained there for several years. Bogside Zukes have returned on multiple occasions to entertain at the festival. Booths containing historic Irish memorabilia and art have also been a great success.

With continued growth over the years, Erin Feis moved to Ravina on the Lakes in 1986. Erin Feis moved again in 1991 to the German–American Society Grounds at Hickory Grove, north Peoria. In 1997, the Saint Patrick Society of Peoria partnered with the Peoria Park District, moving Erin Feis to the Peoria RiverFront and making it a 2 day event. In 2002, Erin Feis expanded to include Fridays, thus becoming a 3-day event. In 2017, the event was renamed the Peoria Irish Fest - Erin Feis.

While holding onto tradition, the Peoria Irish Fest Committee has done a great job of integrating fresh and new ideas into the event each year. Peoria Irish Fest celebrates our Irish culture through music, sports, arts, crafts, religious services, food, and beverages. Peoria Irish Fest is a family event where friendships are made and renewed.

Robert Sloan, first Chairman of our festival, had a committee of four members and a handful of volunteers. Over the next 14 years, the chairmanship has passed from one board member to another. John L. Martin was appointed Chairman in 1995 and still holds the position today. Under John’s leadership, Peoria Irish Fest has become one of the leading Irish Festivals in the Midwest. Today, the Peoria Irish Fest Committee consists of about 20 members, and the committee coordinates activities for all volunteers, now several hundred strong.

If the event is cancelled, ticket holders will have the option for refunds, making a fest donation, or holding their tickets for the next Peoria Irish Fest.

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