Enjoy Festive Fun For Everyone At The Annual Indy Irish Fest, By Melody Schubert: Families will find lots of entertainment, games, and activities to keep the kids busy at the annual Indy Irish Fest to be held at Military Park in Downtown Indianapolis in Mid-September.

For the young and young at heart there are plenty of giggles and fun to enjoy during this exciting event. Kids will love stomping around the Blarney Castle Moonwalk, Kerry's Putt n' Go, and the Cliffs of Moher Climbing Wall. They can test their skills at the Celtic Bean Bag Toss, Donegal's Duck Pond, Limerick Lollipop Tree, Sligo Fish Bowl Toss, or GalwayGo Fish.

Kids can also compete in contest during the festivities. Maybe Mary has the most freckles or Shawn has the greenest eyes you've ever seen. If so then they may be the winner of the Most Freckles and Greenest Eyes contest. Other contest include the Reddest Hair and a Coloring Contest for the artist child if your family or group. Wait, there's more for families to share, including Storytelling, Irish Dance Lessons, Rugby Demonstrations, and fascinating Folklore Tales presented by Marian College and Ken McGee Songs. The heart of the annual Indy Irish Fest is fun and a celebration of all things Irish. During the festival you enjoy great food, arts and crafts, music, and much more than you imagined all in one weekend in the Circle City of Indianapolis.

Irish Musician's and Dancer's Rock The Circle City

We had the pleasure of catching one of the festival's most popular bands, Siochain, pronounced “Shee’–a–kawn,” which means peace, in a intimate setting, and once you see them perform you'll never forget them. Within minutes of taking the stage they'll have you clamping and stomping your feet to their lively Irish beat. No matter whether you're are Irish or not, the music moves you just the same as Siochain draws you in with their energetic and powerful performance. Their first CD, “Disturbing The Peace” will be available at the Indy Irish Fest or online at iTunes, and look for the next CD coming out soon, which is surely to be just as impressive!

In addition to Siochain, other amazing Irish dancers and bands taking the stage at the annual Indy Irish Fest are 7 Nations, The Makem and Spain Brothers, Glengarry Bhoys, The Fenians, Brigid’s Cross, Hogeye Navvy, Gael Force, The Kells, Paul Duffy, Donnybrook, Three Men in Kilts, Alair, John Timm and Celtic Footforce, Highland Reign, Don & Alberta Lathan, Irish Aires, Ken McGee, and Second Fiddle.

Are you the life of the party, a witty wordsmith, or articulate master?

Share your Irish pride and wit with those competing in the Indianapolis Irish Festival Toast Contest. During the competition these crafty Toastmasters will pay tribute to everything Irish; from the love of Ireland and her culture and literature, to a Irish lad or lass or your favorite libation, the humor will keep you laughing throughout this entertaining event. Pub champions are crowned the weeks before the festival.  Pub champs qualify for the semi finals Friday night at the Irish Fest.  The Irish Toast contest champion will be crowned Saturday night during the festival; winning round trip airfare** for two to Ireland.