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, who is a member of the organization in Freehold and serves on the Central Jersey Irish Festival Committee.
The May 16 event at Lake Topanemus will run from 10 a.m. to 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 offering a variety of Irish wares.
One of the festival’s primary sponsors is Rinn Duin Brewery, 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, and the Birmingham Six, two Irish groups well-known throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to Kane.
Irish 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. For further information, call 732-279-6488.