The Road Rising Up to the Irish
Copyright Penn-Mar Irish Festival. Used with permission.
As we approach the latter part of June, 2,500 people flock to a grassy field in Shrewsbury, knowing that they will be entertained with name acts in both the traditional and contemporary Irish music genres. In addition, those attendees will be well fed, have a wide variety of merchandise to view, be wowed by Irish dancers, and have additional entertainment aimed right at children.
On Saturday, June 18th, 2022, The Penn-Mar Irish Festival kicks off its 20th annual event on the grass grounds of The Markets at Shrewsbury. The event runs from 10:30 AM to 9 PM.
Copyright Randy Flaum. Used with permission.
This year’s festival is a greatly looked forward to event after the impacts of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the 2020 festival was canceled in April that year, leading the nonprofit organization to take on financial losses, having already paid for many costs of the festival. Fortunately, Give Local York donations helped recoup some of the losses.
2021 brought some of the same decisions. Mary Yeaple, president of the nonprofit, notes, “We struggled again in 2021 with what to do, and ultimately decided to err on the side of caution and not hold a festival. Two of our bands still could not enter the United States due to travel restrictions, and we could not take a chance on having a festival with reduced attendance and gate income after the losses of 2020.”
Yeaple has a strong connection to the festival, having attended the first in 2001 to support her husband Rodney’s bagpipe band, who performed that day. He now works with the physical layout of the day, and their son Jay helps oversee the vendor portion.
The festival began as a small fundraiser for an area nonprofit, but the resources needed to run such a large event made continuing a challenge. A group of festival committee volunteers formed the current nonprofit and took on the task.
Ten members form the core planning committee today, but many more helpers pull off the day. “Ideally, we need close to 100 volunteers to help us the week of the festival, beginning Tuesday when we start to set up, during the day on the actual festival date, and then on Sunday and Monday when we dismantle everything and move items back to our storage locker. We are always looking for more volunteers and would love to hear from anyone who’d like to get involved. I am constantly reminding people that in order for community events to continue, volunteers must step up to help.”
Copyright Randy Flaum. Used with permission.
That initial fundraiser has become a major cultural event for the region, with sponsorship help, such as Members First Federal Credit Union’s sponsorship for a free children’s area. Adults will appreciate the Guinness and Magners beers and ciders, as well as wine, whiskey, and Irish cream. Those interested in the day’s specifics should visit the festival website, finding an entertainment list and one for food and vendors. Music fans will be excited by both longtime entertainers and new groups, such as Eileen Ivers, Arise & Go, and Cas Ceol.
Saturday, June 18th, 2022
Grounds of The Markets at Shrewsbury
12025 Susquehanna Trail, Glen Rock, PA 17327
Hours: 10:30 AM to 9 PM.
Tickets are $17.24 in advance (after fees) and $20 at the gate. Those 15 and under receive free admission. Visitors are welcome to bring chairs and blankets.
Thanks to the Penn-Mar Irish Festival and Randy Flaum for the use of additional photographs as noted. Copyrights remain the rights of the organization and/or photographers.