BlueClaws Blog

Just because it’s the weekend doesn’t mean that FirstEnergy Park is closed down for a few days.

Saturday is the 39th New Jersey Irish Festival, and Sunday is the first 2009 BlueClaws flea market.

In Eastlake, OH for the first of three between the BlueClaws and Captains. Back with more later.

More of this Saturday at FirstEnergy Park (noon to 8 pm)…details here

This came in the other day from our friends at the NJ Irish Festival (which by the way is Saturday, noon - 8 at FirstEnergy Park). Here’s the latest band schedule and performance times.

• Celtic Cross (1-3)
• Willie Lynch Showband (1-3)
• Bantry Boys (2:30-5)
• Seanchai and the Unity Squad (3:30-5:30)
• The Snakes (3:30-5:30)
• Jameson’s Revenge (5:30-7)
• Unforgettable Fire (6-8)

Unforgettable Fire is a U2 Tribute Band (see below)…Tickets here.

The 2009 New Jersey Irish Festival is back at FirstEnergy Park this year for the third straight year, and we recently received word about their pipe-band competition, always a central piece of the event. Below, you’ll find the list of pipe-bands that will take part in an on-field competition…

• OLD BRIDGE SHILLELAGH PIPE BAND
  RAMPART LION PIPE BAND
  SHAMROCK & THISTLE PIPE BAND
  OCEAN COUNTY EMERALD SOC PIPES & DRUMS
  SOUTH PARK AND DISTRICT PIPES & DRUMS
  AMERICAN CELTS PIPES & DRUMS
  CENTRAL JERSEY POLICE & FIRE P&D’s
  PIPES AND DRUMS OF BERGEN COUNTY
  MONMOUTH COUNTY PIPES & DRUMS
  PIPES AND DRUMS OF THE JERSEY SHORE SHILLELAGHS

This year, the event will take place from 12 noon to 8 pm, a departure from the previous two years when it was held from 9 am - 5 pm. Please note. Tickets here (click June). Official site here. Previous pipe-band competition below:

We don’t want to let this fall through the cracks, especially now since Opening Weekend has come and gone. This event, the 39th annual NJ Irish Festival, is a real blast and is coming back to FirstEnergy Park on June 13th. Here are photos from last year’s event. It will be the third straight year it’s in Lakewood and promises to be the biggest and best Irish Festival yet. Here are some details on the eight-hour celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

• This year’s event begins at noon, rather than 9 am, and runs until 8 pm, rather than 5 pm.
• At least seven bands will perform that day including Unforgettable Fire (see below), a U2 tribute band that has been performing for 15 years.
• There will once again be Catholic Mass late in the afternoon right on the field.
• You can enjoy a tremendous pipe band competition, such as the one here.
• Also included: kids events, Irish-themed vendors, Irish food and drink (especially beer) and much more.

Tickets are on sale now. Call 732-901-7000 for more information or to order. It’s $10 day of the event but $8 pre-sale. Children 12 and under are free. Now, back to the music.