February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Rockland event has become a hardy summer annual, drawing on much the kind of energy and enthusiasm for years associated with the sadly departed Great Irish Fair at Coney Island.
Other fairs certain to draw large crowds include the 25th anniversary Cleveland Irish Festival in Ohio set for this weekend, the Adams Irish Festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this Saturday, and the Great American Irish Festival at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Utica, New York from July 27-29.
Outdoor Irish festivals now span several months of the year, picking up where the nation’s ever growing number of St. Patrick’s Day Parade leave off at the end of March.
In the case of the Rockland Feis, an event particularly noted for its Irish dancing competitions, the fine weather duly provided the spur for a huge attendance. Gaelic games proved a strong attraction for those who came from well beyond Rockland County itself as did all manner of contests, vendors and musical entertainment from, among others, the invariably popular pipers and drummers from bands such as the FDNY Emeralds.
For more of the Echo’s photo coverage of the Rockland Feis please turn to page 25.