The Forge St. Patrick's Festival is back and better than ever! Admission to this event is free and includes live music, Irish dance performances, bagpipers, workshops, and so much more. Food & beverage, activities, and tastings will also be available for purchase.

Schedule of Events

11:30 am - Doors open

12:00 pm - Live Performance: The Trinity Academy of Irish Dance
For nearly 40 years, this Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison institution has become the most widely recognized Irish dance program in the world. Shaping the lives of over 10,000 students, Trinity has appeared in feature films and on national television programs including: six Tonight Shows, CONAN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, to name a few.

12:30 pm - Live Music: Small Batch
They say wisdom comes with age. In music, as in whiskey,?flavor comes with age. Small batch is a very select group of musicians, with lots of flavor, available in limited quantities for that special occasion.

3:00 pm - Live Music: The Irish Music School of Chicago
The School was founded in 2003 by Chicago-bred and internationally acclaimed Irish fiddler Sean Cleland. As a young Irish-American determined to play traditional Irish music, Sean made repeated trips to Ireland. Back at home, he immersed himself in the vibrant Chicago Irish Music community, literally sitting at the feet of the mostly immigrant Irish musicians.

6:00 pm - Live Performance of Bagpiping: The Stockyard Kilty Band
100 years of pipes and drums, Chicago's oldest bagpipe band

Workshops

12:00 pm-4:00 pm: Hurling with Chicago Gaelic Games
Chicago Gaelic Games will be hosting Hurling workshops throughout the day. Visit the Hurling batting cage to learn more about the sport and try your hand at this ancient Gaelic and Irish game that has worldwide appeal!

12:00 pm-1:00 pm: Celtic Knot Drawing with The Irish Music School of Chicago
Knitfittery welcomes beginner, intermediate, and expert knitters to Irish Knitting Circles. Join us for an hour fun of knitting, instruction and creating "Knit a Care Square". All materials will be provided!

12:00 pm-1:00 pm: Irish Knitting Circle with Knitfittery
Explore your artistic skills at Celtic Knot Drawing for Beginners! Learn to draw 3 basic Celtic knots and then create decorative variations. (Maximum of 20 participants. Recommended for ages 12 and up) Join Seán Cleland and Jeff Lindblade (singing, flute, guitar, uilleann pipes) for a fun, family-friendly and interactive demonstration of traditional Irish music. Not only will you hear lively Irish tunes to clap, stomp and dance along too, you will also learn about the different instruments and rhythms used in Irish music. Sean and Jeff will recount some stories behind Irish music tunes which are filled with lively characters, exciting adventures and lead the group in a singalong too. This fun musical and historical journey through Irish music is perfect for the St. Patrick's Day season!

12:00 pm-1:00 pm: Irish Fairy Tales & Stories with The Forge Quarry Camp Team
The Forge Quarry Camp is hosting a Kids Activity Area (most appropriate for ages 3-12) with lawn games, crafts, bubble fun! Even Liam The Leprechaun will be there, making visits throughout the day for some phot op fun! Grab a seat during our Irish Fairy Tales & Stories AND Celtic Knot Tying workshops for even the young adventurers!

1:00 pm -2:00 pm: Traditional Irish Music Celebration: The Irish Music School of Chicago

1:00 pm-2:00 pm: Irish Knitting Circle with Knitfittery

1:30 pm-2:30 pm: Celtic Knot Tying with The Forge Quarry Camp Team

2:00 pm-3:00 pm: Irish Fairy Tales & Stories with The Forge Quarry Camp Team

3:30 pm-4:30 pm: Celtic Knot Tying with The Forge Quarry Camp Team

Tasting Rooms

All Day: Irish Cream Tea Tent

Includes Barry’s Hot Tea, lemonade, 1 scone with strawberry jam and whipped cream. Assorted pastries and sweet breads available for additional charge in Tea Tent.

Cost: $10 per person

12:00 pm & 3:00 pm: Irish Whiskey & Appetizer Pairing (21+)

Enjoy a guided tasting by The Foundry on the Mount Lawn. Includes a five course pairing of Irish whiskey and appetizers!

Course 1 - Cocktail sausage paired with Jameson

Course 2 - Irish bacon served with potato bread paired with Green spot pot sill

Course 3 - Bridies paired with Redbreast 12 year

Course 4 - Sausage roll paired with Jameson black barrel

Course 5 - Mini shepherds pie cupcake paired with Jameson stout

Cost: $35 per person

Date: March 18, 2023

Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Cost: Free

Location:
The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park,
1001 Main Street,
Lemont, IL 60439.

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