The Central Jersey Irish Festival, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, will make its debut at Lake Topanemus Park, Pond Road, Freehold Township, on May 16.
The festival will commemorate Irish culture and is a partnership between the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 16, Freehold Borough, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians Michael Davitt Division 11, Jackson, according to Rich Kane.
Kane is a member of the organization in Freehold and serves on the Central Jersey Irish Festival Committee.
The event is being co-chaired by Patrick Jockel of Division 11, who serves as division president, and John Keane, past president of Division 16.
Jockel resides in Toms River, and Keane resides in Manalapan.
The May 16 event at Lake Topanemus will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
“The Lake Topanemus Commission has graciously offered their park and lake for the first Central Jersey Irish Festival,” Kane said. “The planning of this event has been done with the intent of sharing — with the people of Monmouth and Ocean counties and surrounding counties — the traditions and culture of the Irish people with their traditional Irish music, food, camaraderie and Irish wares.”
The event will feature activities for children, Irish cuisine, boating and vendors.
One of the festival’s primary sponsors is Rinn Duin Brewery of Toms River, which specializes in Irish-style brews.
“They will be debuting the Hibernian Stout, along with their best sellers, Irish Red and a pale ale,” Kane said.
Entertainment will include Sean Hennessy and Amadaun as well as the Birmingham Six — two Irish groups well-known throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to Kane. Step dancers from the Warnock-Seery School of Irish Dance, Freehold, will perform throughout the day.
Admission to the festival is $5 per person, with half the admission proceeds going to the Lake Topanemus Commission and half going to the Ancient Order of Hibernians for various charities.
Free parking will be available on the Robertsville Road side of Lake Topanemus Park. A wagon will transport guests from the parking area to the main section of the park.
Parking for individuals who have a handicap will be available on the Pond Road side of the park.
There will be an opening invocation at 10 a.m., followed by the American and Irish national anthems.
Two men will be honored at the event by the Central Jersey Irish Festival Committee:
Roger Kane — a former mayor of Freehold Borough, a member of the Lake Topanemus Commission, and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 16 — will be honored as Irishman of the Year. Roger Kane is Rich Kane’s brother.
Jack Sullivan, a past state president and current division president for Monmouth County Division 1 of Rumson, will be honored as Hibernian of the Year. Sullivan is a 30-year member of the order and runs the organization’s Irish Festival in Sea Girt every fall.
Jockel said, “John [Keane] and I wanted to bring an Irish festival to the area in the spring. And with my experience running festivals and John’s area contacts, together we felt we could make it happen.”
Residents of all communities are invited to attend the Central Jersey Irish Festival. For more information, call 732-279-6488.