Despite sweltering temperatures, the 45th annual Irish Fair of Minnesota kicked off on Friday afternoon on Harriet Island in St. Paul. With a heat advisory in effect and a heat index climbing over 100 degrees, organizers and attendees alike were well-prepared to celebrate Irish culture all weekend long.
The event is expected to draw between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors throughout the weekend. With Irish music, dancing, food, and a lively marketplace, the fair remains one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Twin Cities.
Molly O’Malley, a dancer with Rince Na Chroi, shared her excitement to return to the stage. “We practice all year for this. We rehearse, and we’re just so excited to be here. We love performing,” she said.
O’Malley and her fellow dancers are used to the challenges that come with performing in outdoor summer weather. “We’re ready for the heat. We’ve got these nice sleeveless dresses, so that helps,” she added.
Organizers have made sure visitors can stay cool despite the extreme temperatures. The fairgrounds include shaded areas over vendor tents and concert stages, along with free refillable water stations to keep everyone hydrated.
Macy Ashby, one of the fair’s co-chairs, emphasized that Minnesotans know how to handle the heat. “We’re used to it,” she said. “We’ve got plenty of ways for people to cool off and still have a great time.”
In addition to music and dancing, the fair offers a wide range of food and merchandise. Ten food vendors will serve traditional Irish favorites and other fare, while dozens of marketplace vendors are ready to showcase their goods, no matter the weather.
One of those vendors is Stuart Marley, who traveled across the country to be at the fair. He sells Guinness-branded clothing and other Irish-themed items, including fragrances and Hannah Hats—classic Irish caps made in Ireland. Marley has seen all kinds of weather at the fair over the years, including a hailstorm on a Friday two years ago.
“The weather is unpredictable, but we’re always ready,” Marley said.
Performers are just as committed. Ally Crowley-Duncan, known as “Ally the Piper,” plans to keep playing her bagpipes, no matter how hot it gets. “It’s a tough instrument. You sweat in any weather when you play it,” she said. “Hydration and electrolytes—that’s my plan. We’ve played in heat before and we’ll do it again.”
The Irish Fair opened at 3 p.m. on Friday and will run through 7 p.m. on Sunday. Despite the heat, the mood is festive and filled with pride. Organizers are confident that the fair will be a success, rain or shine.
