Iowa Irish Fest August 5-7, 2022 IowaIrishFest.com
It’s time to don your kilt and dance a little jig – the Iowa Irish Fest is returning to downtown Waterloo!
The newly renovated Lincoln Park area will host over 20 live bands, including headliners
The High Kings The Red Hot Chili Pipers Gaelic Storm
In addition to live music, this premier three-day event celebrates the emerald isle in all facets of the Fest, from the Highland Games to vendors to workshops celebrating Irish dance, instruments, and language and culture. 
While the event started out as a small, informal family picnic in 2006, it now includes several fan-favorite events, including the High Nelly Bike Rally and the Celtic Cruise motorcycle rally.
Friday, 8/05/22
• 5 p.m. – Have you heard of the Highland Games? The Highland Games includes the caber toss event, the sheaf toss event, the stone put event, the Scottish hammer throw event, the weight throw event and the weight over the bar event. Stop by this workshop for a complete Highland Games demonstration.
• 6 p.m. – Are you a rugby fan? Have you always wanted to test out your rugby skills? Join the Waverly Bremer County Bucks Rugby Team for an introduction to the sport of rugby.
• 7:15 p.m. – Dan Vaughn is a talented whistle player who has performed with the band Gaelic Storm multiple times. Join Dan for an Intermediate/Adult Tin Whistle lesson. Tin whistles will be provided to the first 50 participants. Saturday, 8/06/22
• 10 a.m. – Ian Gould, an immigrant from Belfast, North Ireland, began his musical career as a kid playing in bands throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe. Join Ian for a lesson on the Bodhrán drum for kids or beginners. Bring your own drum or borrow one from the Fest. • 10:50 a.m. – Join the USS Iowa Sailors-USS Sullivan for an authentic Storytime with real-life Sailors.
• 11:15 p.m. – Musical Journey Through Ireland- slide show and travelogue. Join Ian on a journey from Dublin to Belfast with songs, history and trivia from the towns and cities along the way.
• 12:30 p.m. – Join the USS Iowa Sailors-USS Sullivan for an authentic Storytime with real-life Sailors.
• 1 p.m. – The Bill Riley Talent Search annually showcases the diverse abilities of Iowa’s younger generations. Don’t miss the Bill Riley Talent Search Show!
• 3 p.m. – Becoming Prince or Princess for the Iowa Irish Fest is a great experience. Contest winners receive the prestige, prizes and ability to showcase your Iowa Irish Fest spirit at public appearances. Don’t miss the prince and princess contest!
• 3:30 p.m. – Join Dan for a Beginner/Child tin whistle lesson. Tin whistles will be provided to the first 50 participants.
• 4:45 p.m. – The Friel Sisters are young traditional musicians born and brought up in Glasgow. Join the girls for a workshop on Two-Hand Dances from Donegal.
• 5:30 p.m. – Join the USS Iowa Sailors-USS Sullivan for an authentic Storytime with real-life Sailors.
Sunday, 8/07/22
• 11 a.m. – Join the USS Iowa Sailors-USS Sullivan for an authentic Storytime with real-life Sailors.
• 11:45 a.m. – Peadar Hickey is a New York City based folk singer, guitarist and entertainer. Join Peader as he gives an Irish Language lesson to children and beginners.
• 12 p.m. – The coloring contest occurs throughout the fest, and at noon on Sunday, the winner will be announced.
• 1 p.m. – Join Ian and his wife Elizabeth for a children’s Storytime event. Celtic Cinderella is an interactive storytelling program with sword fights, tiny shoes, dances, dragons and more.
• 2 p.m. – For nearly forty years, the Trinity Irish Dancers have set numerous records and thrilled audiences with their Irish dances and performances. Join the group at an Irish Dance Workshop.
• 3:15 p.m. – Aoife Scott is an Irish singer-songwriter from Dublin. If you’ve ever wanted to write a song, join Aoife for this Dublin Song Workshop. There are multiple other contests occurring throughout the weekend in different locations. Below are a few of our favorites, but if you want to view a full list of events, visit IowaIrishFest.com.
12th Annual Anything Irish Photography Contest
• Entry Fee: $20.00 per photo • Deadline: Payment and entry must be received by 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2022.
• Photo Requirements: o There are two categories: “Across the Pond” and “State Side”. o “Across the Pond” category requirements – Photos taken outside the United States. o “State Side” category requirements – Photos taken inside the United States. o Photo must be taken by submitter. o Email photographs as a jpeg image to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. o Specify in subject which category you wish to enter “Across the Pond” or “State Side”. o 1st place wins $100 and gets displayed at Jameson’s Public House until August 2023 o 2nd place wins $75 o 3rd place wins $50
• Winners will be displayed in the Black’s Building during the 2023 Iowa Irish Fest on August 5th – August 7th. • For more information, visit https://iowairishfest.com/activity/anything-irish-photography-contest/. King and Queen Competition • Friday, 8/05/22; 7 p.m. at the Nagle/KWWL Stage • Becoming King or Queen for the Iowa Irish Fest is a great experience. Contest winners receive the prestige, prizes and ability to showcase your Iowa Irish Fest spirit at public appearances. “Best Legs in a Kilt” Contest
• Saturday, 8/06/22; 7:35 p.m. at the Lincoln Savings Bank Stage
• Best Legs in A Kilt is a must-see event! Press your kilt and break out your unique skills, dancing shoes, musical instruments or simply your best talent and let’s showcase those legs! May the best win! Address: Phone: Email: 315 E 5th St, Waterloo, IA 50703 (319) 234-9029 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please note that the event schedule is subject to change. Rain or shine, the fest must go on! If you’re feeling the need to beat the heat, or inclement weather begins, enjoy some food and drinks at one of the bars or restaurants on the fest grounds, or stop into one of the boutiques to shop till you drop! We have several fest beverage gardens covered by our tents and, as a backup this year, the Van G Miller Family Foundation Traditional Music Stage Tent will be located on the corner of East 4th Street and Mulberry. We Need Volunteers Like You! If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community, bond with your coworkers or get in free to Iowa’s best Irish celebration, sign up to volunteer! To put on the high-quality event Iowa Irish Fest is known for, volunteers like you (and your friends, coworkers and family) are essential. You’ll be properly thanked with free admission to all three days of the Fest, an exclusive T-shirt AND two free drink tokens. Sign up for a shift today at IowaIrishFest.com! The annual Iowa Irish Fest is organized by the Cedar Valley Irish Culture Association, an organization intended to foster and develop Irish fellowship and community outreach through Irish cultural events and programs. The 2022 Fest will take place August 5-7 in the Lincoln Park area of downtown Waterloo. Tickets are currently on sale at IowaIrishFest.com. Discounted tickets are available at select businesses across Waterloo, including all Veridian Credit Union locations. For a list of additional locations, go to IowaIrishFest.com. Presented by Veridian Credit Union
Tickets to the Fest can be purchased at IowaIrishFest.com. All military and first responders will be admitted into the Fest at no charge with proof of service. Updates on the Fest will be distributed via our website, social media channels and all.
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The Iowa Irish Fest was founded by the Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association as a way to foster and develop Irish fellowship and outreach into the community.
