The Great American Irish Fair in Irvine

It's time for the annual Great American Irish Fair in Irvine. Billed as the largest Irish Fair in the Western United States, this festival of Celtic culture takes place at the Irvine Meadows Fairgrounds between the Verizon Meadows Amphitheatre and the Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine.

The event features multiple entertainment stages with regional Irish dance competitions, and a variety of traditional and contemporary Irish music styles. This year's music line-up includes the Fenians,the American Wake, Sligo Rags, Dublin4, Irish dance, harp and fiddle competitions, and more. There are also sheep herding demonstrations and rides for the kids.

When: Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, 2009, 10 am – 7:00 pm
Where: 8800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA off the 405 or 5 freeways
Cost: Adults $15 advance, $18 on fair days, Seniors (62+) and students $12 advance, $15 at the gate, Children 12 and under, free. Two day adult tickets $28.
Parking: for an additional fee at the far end of the lot shared with Verizon Meadows Amphitheatre and Wild Rivers
Info: www.irishfair.org

View photos from the Great American Irish Fair.

Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com