DOVER—
After a five-year hiatus, the Seacoast Irish Festival is making its return to the Dover cultural and entertainment scene on June 12, 2010. Last held in the summer of 2005, the popular Festival drew thousands of attendees. The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Dover Main Street to resurrect the event, which was formerly put on by the Dover Police Charities.
“People have made it very clear that they want the festival back,” noted Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman, “not just Dover residents, but people from all over. We are very happy to have past sponsor Shaheen and Gordon step into a major role yet again.”
The Festival Committee has certainly gotten off to a good start, having obtained the necessary permits and approvals, a major sponsor, and the support of Dover Police Charities.
“We fully support the efforts to revive the festival. Residents and visitors will benefit from this cultural experience and the proceeds directly support critical programs that help keep Dover a great place to live, work and visit,” commented Police Chief Tony Colarusso in a letter of support.
Perhaps even more importantly, the Committee has secured the services of renowned local musician Eugene Byrne, one of the Festival’s “Founding Fathers,” who is not only assembling the entertainment lineup for the event, but who will also be performing himself. In addition, Byrne was scheduled to be on hand when the event is formally announced at a media event at Kelley’s Row in downtown Dover at noon on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Dover has a great Irish heritage,” said Byrne, “and I’m very pleased to be playing a part in the revival of the Seacoast Irish Festival. We’ve been talking about bringing it back for quite some time now, and since we finally seem to have the pieces in place, it made perfect sense to all of us to make the announcement on St. Patrick’s Day.”
The Seacoast Irish Festival, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 12th, will be held in a new, highly visible downtown location at the Rotary Arts Pavilion. While the performance schedule is still being finalized, confirmed performers include Bradigan, the Shaw Brothers, Patsy Whelan, The McTaggarts, Schooner Fare, Eugene Byrne and many other special guests.
The event will culminate with a rousing musical tribute to Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, by many of the Festival performers and some special guests.
“Since the last time the Festival was held, we lost Tommy in 2007, and Liam, the last of the Clancy Brothers just last year,” mused Byrne. “Without them, Irish music wouldn’t be the same. Making the event a tribute to their memories, and to their cultural contributions was an easy decision, especially considering Dover is Tommy’s hometown.”
Newly–hired Dover Main Street Executive Director Carrie Eisner agreed, adding, “Holding the event in Dover’s historic downtown should really add to the cultural feel of the Festival. Dover has so much history, and this is a great opportunity for the City to showcase that history, as well as its rich Irish heritage.”
The Festival will be held on June 12th, Rain or Shine, from noon until 9 p.m. Tickets will be $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event, with Kelley’s Row providing the food and beverages, Crafters selling Irish art and jewelry, and a full slate of music, dancing and other traditional Irish entertainment.
According to Chamber Marketing Manager Aaron Wensley, sponsorship packages are still available for the event.
“So much of what the Chamber and Dover Main Street do for the community involves things that are unseen by the general public,” added Wensley. “The Irish Festival is a cultural event that provides sponsors with a highly visible platform for promotion, so we’re very optimistic that local businesses will join Shaheen and Gordon in supporting something so clearly beneficial to the community.”
For more information on ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and entertainment schedules, please visit www.seacoastirishfestival.org. Proceeds from the event support the Chamber’s and Main Street’s economic and business development programs, which are critical to keeping Dover’s economy strong and preserving its quality of life. (Courtesy photo)
After a five-year hiatus, the Seacoast Irish Festival is making its return to the Dover cultural and entertainment scene on June 12, 2010. Last held in the summer of 2005, the popular Festival drew thousands of attendees. The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Dover Main Street to resurrect the event, which was formerly put on by the Dover Police Charities.
“People have made it very clear that they want the festival back,” noted Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman, “not just Dover residents, but people from all over. We are very happy to have past sponsor Shaheen and Gordon step into a major role yet again.”
The Festival Committee has certainly gotten off to a good start, having obtained the necessary permits and approvals, a major sponsor, and the support of Dover Police Charities.
“We fully support the efforts to revive the festival. Residents and visitors will benefit from this cultural experience and the proceeds directly support critical programs that help keep Dover a great place to live, work and visit,” commented Police Chief Tony Colarusso in a letter of support.
Perhaps even more importantly, the Committee has secured the services of renowned local musician Eugene Byrne, one of the Festival’s “Founding Fathers,” who is not only assembling the entertainment lineup for the event, but who will also be performing himself. In addition, Byrne was scheduled to be on hand when the event is formally announced at a media event at Kelley’s Row in downtown Dover at noon on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Dover has a great Irish heritage,” said Byrne, “and I’m very pleased to be playing a part in the revival of the Seacoast Irish Festival. We’ve been talking about bringing it back for quite some time now, and since we finally seem to have the pieces in place, it made perfect sense to all of us to make the announcement on St. Patrick’s Day.”
The Seacoast Irish Festival, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 12th, will be held in a new, highly visible downtown location at the Rotary Arts Pavilion. While the performance schedule is still being finalized, confirmed performers include Bradigan, the Shaw Brothers, Patsy Whelan, The McTaggarts, Schooner Fare, Eugene Byrne and many other special guests.
The event will culminate with a rousing musical tribute to Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, by many of the Festival performers and some special guests.
“Since the last time the Festival was held, we lost Tommy in 2007, and Liam, the last of the Clancy Brothers just last year,” mused Byrne. “Without them, Irish music wouldn’t be the same. Making the event a tribute to their memories, and to their cultural contributions was an easy decision, especially considering Dover is Tommy’s hometown.”
Newly–hired Dover Main Street Executive Director Carrie Eisner agreed, adding, “Holding the event in Dover’s historic downtown should really add to the cultural feel of the Festival. Dover has so much history, and this is a great opportunity for the City to showcase that history, as well as its rich Irish heritage.”
The Festival will be held on June 12th, Rain or Shine, from noon until 9 p.m. Tickets will be $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event, with Kelley’s Row providing the food and beverages, Crafters selling Irish art and jewelry, and a full slate of music, dancing and other traditional Irish entertainment.
According to Chamber Marketing Manager Aaron Wensley, sponsorship packages are still available for the event.
“So much of what the Chamber and Dover Main Street do for the community involves things that are unseen by the general public,” added Wensley. “The Irish Festival is a cultural event that provides sponsors with a highly visible platform for promotion, so we’re very optimistic that local businesses will join Shaheen and Gordon in supporting something so clearly beneficial to the community.”
For more information on ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and entertainment schedules, please visit www.seacoastirishfestival.org. Proceeds from the event support the Chamber’s and Main Street’s economic and business development programs, which are critical to keeping Dover’s economy strong and preserving its quality of life. (Courtesy photo)
