Going Places with Dina Guzzardo
If there is one nation that knows how to have a good time, it is the Irish. An astonishing 20% of the U.S population have Irish roots, which explains why we are so eager to celebrate Irish festivals such as St Patrick’s Day. North Wildwood has its very own Irish community in the form of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an organization that fosters and preserves Irish culture and heritage. Each year, they celebrate their Irish ancestry by throwing the Irish Fall Festival.
This year’s festival will take place from Thursday, September 23rd to Sunday, September 26th. The festivities will kick off on Thursday around noon with a round of golf at the Cape May National Golf Course, Route 9 and Fairway Drive, Cape May Court House (2 miles south of Route 47). If you sign up on or before September 5th, the fee is only $110.00. After that, it is $120.00. The price includes the green fee and cart, dinner, refreshments, and several prizes for the winners. Make sure you sign up early since spaces are limited.
The main festivities will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on Olde New Jersey Avenue, with several street vendors displaying their Irish memorabilia. This is a great stop for foodies, as vendors will be serving up a mix of both Irish and non-Irish cuisine. What exactly is Irish cuisine, you ask? Traditional Irish food includes hearty Irish Stew, perfect for as the weather starts to change to cooler, fall temperatures; boiled bacon and cabbage, a lot more delicious than it sounds, trust me; and boxty, which you may know as a potato dumpling or potato pancake. The Irish are big on comfort foods, so if you are after something which will leave you feeling full for days, this is for you. The vendors will be out from 8 am every day until 7 pm. Irish-themed food and entertainment will be available all weekend in most clubs and pubs in North Wildwood, as the entire area embraces this exuberant culture.
There is free live entertainment on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 8:30 pm on Chestnut and Olde New Jersey Avenues, with a jam-packed schedule of talented local performers. The National and Irish Anthem will begin the festival in style between 11:45 am and 12 pm, followed by Brothers McGillian, with Robbin and Tim wrapping things up with an almost 2-hour set starting at 6:25 on Friday. Saturday will be closed by Broken Shillelaghs, “Irish Music’s Answer to Shillelagh Law,” who is sure to have you up on your feet practicing your best Irish Jig.
If you have ever wondered what it takes to be an Irish dancer, now is your opportunity because the AOH will be offering free Irish dance lessons at the Elks Lodge (Chestnut and Olde New Jersey Avenues) from 10 am until noon.
For running enthusiasts, a 5 km run will begin Saturday’s activities, with an entrance fee of $25 before September 11th and $30 on or after that date. You can pre-register at this website: www.runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Wildwood/IrishJog5K. Runners who pre-register will be guaranteed a t-shirt. However, there will also be the opportunity to register on race day at 8 am at the AOH tent (between 1st and 2nd Avenues) on Olde New Jersey Avenue.
The Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition will be showcasing some of the best pipe band music in the East on Saturday at 10 am at HefneyPark (8th and Central Avenue, North Wildwood). This is one of the most popular events of the weekend, attracting thousands of spectators every year.
Irish culture is one of faith, and to celebrate this, everyone is invited to Saint Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in the Notre Dame de la Mer Parish (Glenwood and Atlantic Avenue) on Sunday at 10 am for Sunday mass. A procession will begin at the main entrance to the altar, led by the Protectors of the Faith Guards, the Cape May County Emerald Society Honor Guard, and a liturgical bagpipe soloist.
The main parade for the weekend begins at 12:30 pm on Sunday at 20th and Surf Avenue, continuing on to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenue. Seamus Boyle, Past National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, will make an appearance as a special guest, as well as Miss North Wildwood, Madeline Melle.
More information on the festival, as well as how to sign up as a vendor, for the golf tournament, or for the 5 km run, can be found on their official website (https://www.cmcaoh.com/festival.html) or Facebook page (North Wildwood Irish Fall Festival). Even if you do not have Irish roots, it is bound to be a great weekend. I recommend kicking off the celebrations by asking your server for an Irish Car Bomb if you are brave enough!
