FRANKFORT, NY – After rain dampened the spirits of attendees to the Great American Irish Festival on Friday, Irish eyes were definitely smiling on Saturday.

The 15th annual Great American Irish Festival once again took place at the Herkimer County Fair Grounds and featured everything Irish.

From Irish music to Irish setters, there was something for everyone.

Organizers for the festival say this event is important not only for the Irish community but economically for the local community as well.

“As people come through the gates we’re asking them where they come from”, says Bill Barry, co-director of the Great American Irish Festival.

“Have they been here before, how did they hear about us? Of course, we expected people from the Mohawk Valley to join us, but we’re also seeing people from neighboring states. We’ve also had people from Canada and California. So we really get a good mixture at the Irish Festival.”

On Sunday there will be an Irish mass featuring bagpipes.

In the past, the mass was held at the fairgrounds, but this year it will be held in Utica at St. Joseph/St. Patrick Church.
The church is located across from the Irish Cultural Center, which is expected to open this fall.