Riverfront Irish Festival’s 31st Year

It’s the only free Irish festival in Ohio. It has free parking, free admission, and it is in the center of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The Riverfront Irish Festival (RIF) has been run by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Akron for 31 years and has seen some of the biggest acts in the Celtic music game perform on its grounds. When it started, the venue used large tents for its stages. Today, the site has evolved thanks to city development into the main stage being a permanent structure that is now an amphitheater with iconic sails for shading. The festival still uses tents on its smaller stages, too, where patrons can see the smaller acts perform.

The RIF estimates 50,000 patrons visit each year to hear not only larger acts but to catch up with the local bands they love. That is perhaps one of the endearing features of the festival. It utilizes local talent that keeps people visiting year after year. The northeast Ohio area has a large contingent of talented Celtic musicians and bands that could stock an entire festival weekend without ever bringing in a national act. They are dedicated to the craft of performing Celtic music, keeping the traditional music alive and well. They also know there is a lot of fun to be had involving audiences in shows. Irish music fans know there is always the opportunity to participate in songs, and they come locked and loaded to do so at this festival. The patrons know the songs, they know the bands they like, and they make the relationship between the two worth their while.

There is a large collection of vendors with Irish-related items such as artwork, t-shirts, and other goods throughout the festival grounds where visitors can purchase unique items they won’t find anywhere else. There are also Irish food vendors who provide traditional options for more discerning palates. Most, though, are the usual fair food type you find at most festivals and outdoor venues.

This is a family-oriented event that encourages youngsters to embrace the Irish culture for its music and stories. It is, after all, a way to impart the history of Irish generations in both Ireland and the United States through a multitude of avenues – music, art, storytelling, dress, and dance. The festival gives back to the community, too, in the form of scholarships and grants. Over the last five years, the RIF has given over $140,000 in both to local high school recipients and local charities. The total in the history of the festival is undoubtedly higher, although exact numbers were not available at the time of publishing.

There is no doubt that the RIF is worth a visit. Whole families can experience music and fun without ever paying a dime for admission or parking, which is an anomaly among festivals in general. The entertainment is varied to satisfy every facet of musical tastes. Our congratulations to the Riverfront Irish Festival on 31 years of success! May you continue to spread the Irish culture to the masses for a very long time to come!