NORTH WILDWOOD
The largest Irish festival on the East Coast begins on Thursday, Sept. 21 and concludes on Sunday, Sept. 24. This festive four-day event is sponsored by James J. Reilly, Division 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH).
The success of this festival has been overwhelming, and continues to draw more and more people each year. With over one hundred vendors, sixteen food vendors, and an estimated crowd of over 200,000, this gathering will definitely be the place where you want to be!
The activities begin on Thursday, Sept. 21st, at 1p.m. with a round of golf at the Cape May National Golf Course, Route 9 and Fairway Drive, Cape May Court House (2 miles south of Route 47). The fee is $90 on or before Sept. 10th and $100 after Sept. 10th and includes greens fee and cart, light lunch, dinner buffet, beer and many prizes. Space is limited and reservations are suggested. For additional information, please contact the AOH.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Festivities will take place on Olde New Jersey Ave. Here the street vendors will display their Irish memorabilia, and the food vendors will offer a variety of Irish and non-Irish treats. This activity begins at 8 a.m. each morning and continues until 7 p.m. On Friday and Saturday there will be free live entertainment continuously from 12 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.. The AOH is proud to announce the return of the Beer Garden located on the Municipal parking lot at Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues.
Saturday begins with a 5K RUN. If you are interested, you can sign up at 8 a.m. at the AOH tent (between 1st and 2nd Ave.) on Olde New Jersey Ave. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Free Live Entertainment
Saturday at 10 a.m. the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition will take place at Bill Henfey Park located at 8th and Central Avenues, North Wildwood. This event attracts thousands of spectators every year. Come see and hear some of the best pipe bands in the East!
Also on Saturday, the AOH will host free Irish Dance Lessons at the Anglesea Volunteer Fire House, located in the festival district at 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues from 10 a.m. until noon.
On Friday and Saturday there will be free live entertainment continuously from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. The concert will begin with the National Anthem. Other featured performers include: Maura McKinney, Broken Shillelaghs, Birmingham 6, the Shenanigans and Brothers McGillan.
On Sunday, everyone is welcome to celebrate our faith and heritage at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in the Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues, for 10:30 a.m. Mass. There will be a procession starting at the main entrance to the altar by the Protectors of the Faith Guards, the Cape May County Emerald Society Honor Guard and a liturgical bag piper soloist.
Sunday Festival Parade
Sunday at 12:30 p.m., the parade begins at 20th and Surf Ave. and will continue to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Ave. The Irish Fall Festival is proud to announce that the 2017 Grand Marshal will be Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, Diocese of Camden.
In addition, we are honored to have Seamus Boyle, past national president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as a special guest. The parade also will feature Miss North Wildwood, Mae C. Bischoff, many fraternal organizations, bag pipe bands, Irish dance groups and much, much more. All AOH organizations are welcome to be a part of this celebration of Irish history and heritage.
Irish food and entertainment will be available at most of the clubs and pubs in North Wildwood all weekend long.
As always, bus service will be available from the Anglesea Fire Hall – 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenue along Surf Avenue to 26th Street. Additional bus service will be available through Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. For detailed information, please call 609-884-5230 or visit gatrolley.com.
As a result of this extremely successful annual fund-raising event, the AOH achieves significant charitable accomplishments. These contributions reflect the loyalty and ideals which have helped to strengthen our families, community, and national character.
This festival is sponsored, in part, by Budweiser, the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority and the City of North Wildwood.
The AOH would like to acknowledge and thank Mayor Patrick Rosenello, City Council and the City of North Wildwood for their annual support of this event!
For additional information contact the AOH at 1-800-IRISH-91 or www.cmcaoh.com.
Calendar listings:
SEPTEMBER 21
26th Annual Irish
Fall Festival (Thursday)
1:00pm Golf Tournament.
Cape May National Golf Course.
Rt. 9 and Fairway Drive,
CMCH
1-800-IRISH-91
26th Annual Irish
Fall Festival (Friday)
8am-7pm -Vendors. Food.
12noon-8:30pm-Live Irish Entertainment.
Ocean Side Irish Music
Beer Garden
Olde New Jersey Ave.,
Wildwood, NJ
1-800-IRISH-91
SEPTEMBER 23
26th Annual Irish
Fall Festival (Saturday)
8am- 5k Run Sign–up (Olde NJ Ave)
8am-7:00 pm -Vendors. Food.
10am -Pipe Exhibition (8th & Central Ave.)
10am -free dance lessons
12noon-8:30 pm-Live Irish Entertainment.
Ocean Side Irish Music
Beer Garden
Wildwood, NJ
1-800-IRISH-91
SEPTEMBER 24
26th Annual Irish
Fall Festival (Sunday)
8am-7:00 pm -Vendors. Food.
10:30 am– Mass St. Anne’s (Glenwood & Atlantic)
12:30 pm –Parade (20th &Surf)
Wildwood, NJ
1-800-IRISH-91