Suggestion Box: A ‘Must Go’ Event Hits Muskegon

Irish Music and more on tap this weekend
By N3WH Staff

With 4 days of live entertainment, and really really fine entertainment at that, the Michigan Irish Music Festival (September 14-17) has become a ‘Must Go’ event for those of us at N3 World Headquarters and daily stopover for  the blue heron with an apparent grudge against our deck.

But we digress.

This is serious fun folks. First of all, there’s the music and each year late into the evening I’ve found myself in a tented area crowded with people having an excellent time listening to some hard driving Irish music that, believe me, bears no similarity to hearing a tenor voice crooning “Danny Boy’ while folks get teary.
And taken as a whole this is a four day romp that absolutely sings ‘good time’.

There are multiple venues with adult beverages on hand, a variety of music that is sure to impress and vendors galore with cool stuff including great woolen caps and the ever-popular kilts.
As to kilts….yeah, I kind of  gave it some thought last year but considering my legs I went with a cap instead. If you’re going to take the plunge toward kilt-wearing you really should have the legs for it.

Last year I wandered about and took in as much as I could. Watching the Highland Games is surprisingly relaxing. It was almost kind of meditative as I pondered the fact that at this point in my life caber tossing would likely not be on any of my lists, bucket or otherwise.

There’s dancing ….well there seems to be a bit of dancing everywhere later on….. but there is a dance stage featuring  traditional dance and the Cedar Creek Cloggers (shameless plug since the dancers in the group include LSC Lil) generally show off some high energy moves Saturday afternoon.

And of course food is a big part of the festivities as well it should be. There are opportunities to grab hold of some bangers and mash, dive into a bowl of Irish Stew, and sink your teeth into a corned beef sandwich that will tantalize the taste buds.

There are story tellers, historical presentations, kids activities, a chance to do some whiskey sippin’ if you’re inclined and of course…

There is the music. It is sublime.

The staff of N3WH are heavy on festival experience. In our state alone we have visited gatherings of people in search of fun  from Rothbury to Wheatland and Cherry Festival to Cheeseburger in Caseville and beyond over the years.
This one?
Top drawer.
The number one ‘something for everyone and if you don’t have a good time you’re simple not paying attention’ festival.

And another very cool thing is they have found that magic zone of being super well organized while remaining uber-friendly and accommodating. People seem to require a depth of kindness when volunteering here and it shows in all aspects of the event.

Oh, and Bonus!  Because it’s football season? Saturday afternoon college games?  
You bet.
TV’s in the tents where they serve beer. Multiple games of note and chances are good the Notre Dame will be on one of the screens because, well,  after all it’s the Irish Fest, right?

So if you’re looking for a good time? I mean a really really good time?

Head to Muskegon and catch what is in the opinion of N3WH the best idea the city has had this century.
The 18th annual Michigan Irish Music Festival.

Did we mention the music?

For more info visit MichiganIrish.org

Suggestion Box is sponsored by Newaygo Brewing Co. where patrons find good food good drink and good times