Non-stop live music, dancing, colorful cultural exhibits, children's activities, Irish foods and booths selling Irish and Celtic products offer a spirited glimpse into the Irish way of life. Seattle Center Festál: Irish Festival, March 13 – 14, 12 noon – 6 p.m., in Center House features non-stop live music, dancing and children’s activities. Festival-goers may participate in genealogy and Irish language workshops and take in colorful cultural exhibits and booths selling Irish and Celtic products.
Contemporary Irish short films will be screened during an Irish Reels Film Festival. Family-oriented activities include high spirited Irish musicians and champion Irish stepdancers from around the Pacific Northwest. Events for children include the “Smilingest Irish Eyes Contest” and the “Most Irish-Looking Face Contest” and a Children’s Activities Center offers additional interactive entertainment.
The 22 Festál cultural celebrations highlight the common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Our 2010 “did you knows” will explore some of these commonalities and differences.
Did you know? The colors of the culture are green, white and orange, formally adopted in 1919. Most popular foods include Irish stew made with lamb, carrots, onions and potatoes; soda and treacle bread, Kerry pies; Porter Cake and Scones with homemade jam and cream. The greatest sources of cultural pride among Irish people are their heritage, the island of their ancestors and their contributions to language, literature, art and science. Their livelihood is supported by a well-educated and young workforce that has attracted numerous software, chemical, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. There is also a vibrant seafishing and fish-farming industry and tourism.
Seattle Center Festál: Irish Festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle. For a full event schedule, visit www.irishclub.org, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.
