Syracuse, N.Y. — The weather forecast set the odds of rains and thunderstorms for Friday afternoon and evening at a solid 100%.
We should’ve all taken the “under” on that wager. Minutes after The Rev. Kevin Maloney performed the annual blessing of the kegs in downtown’s Clinton Square, the skies cleared the way for the 29th annual free Irish Fest.
Bands started at 5 p.m. Friday and played through 11 p.m. with a bunch of Irish dancers mixed in. The Moxie Strings, an electric cello-violin duo that’s played our festival for 10 years, played their second-to-last large venue gig Friday. The last will be this afternoon.
The Prodigals were the night’s headliner. This was the second time the “punk-jig” band played Syracuse in two weeks. The New York City played Chevy Court at the State Fair on Aug. 27. They’ll do an encore performance at 6:45 p.m., leading the way for The Public House at 8:15 p.m. and Hadrian’s Wall at 10 p.m.
The festival continues at 11 a.m. today. Food, drink and merchandise vendors have lined the square between Salina and Clinton streets.
Saturday’s mainstage lineup
11 a.m.: Irish Mass
11:45 a.m.: Tom Dooley Choraliers
Noon: Syracuse Irish Session
1 p.m.: Joe Davoli
2 p.m.: Loren Barrigar
3 p.m.: Shane Hennessy
4 p.m.: The Moxie Strings
5 p.m.: McDonald School of Irish Dance
5:20 p.m.: The Friel Sisters
6:20 p.m.: Rince Na Sonas School of Irish Dance
6:45 p.m.: The Prodigals
7:45 p.m.: Johnston School of Irish Dance
8:15 p.m.: The Public House
9:30 p.m.: Presentations
10 p.m.: Hadrian’s Wall
Traditional Stage lineup
3:30 p.m.: Tom Dooley Choraliers
4:30 p.m.: CrossBow
5:30 p.m.: McDonald School of Irish Dance
6 p.m.: Shane Hennessy
7:15 p.m.: Rince Na Sonas School of Irish Dance
7:45 p.m.: The Friel Sisters
8:45 p.m.: Johnston School of Irish Dance
9:15 p.m.: CrossBow
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Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at [email protected]. You can also find him under…
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