What's your favorite festival spot?
Literary Corner. I love to read! - Melissa Ward
Ciderboys Stage - Barry Stapleton
Sitting at a picnic table or bench at the back of a stage listening to the music. - Ciara Duffy
The cultural area. - Kristina Paris
The lake walk outside of The Snug Stage. - Caitlin Ward
Tipperary Tea Room. - Mike Boyle
Watching music at the Village Pub, Snug Stage, and Lakefront Brewery Stage. - Rory Modlinski
Irish music sessions at the Lakefront Sessions Pub. - Sandy Mazurek
Marketplace vendors. All the shopping! - Cailin Branchford
What's your go-to food and/or drink at Irish Fest?
A chocolate milkshake from Miss Kate's Diner and a Jamorita from the Jameson bar. - Melissa Ward
A turtle sundae - Barry Stapleton
Corned-beef sandwich from Ward's House of Prime or Saz's Festival Platter. - Molly Modlinski
Pretzels from the Tea Room or a baked potato. - Ciara Duffy
Roasted almonds and Ward's House of Prime's grilled cheese sandwich with tomato - Kristina Paris
A morning bun from the tea room. - Caitlin Ward
Ward's House of Prime prime rib sandwich. - Mike Boyle
I do enjoy some Cedar Crest ice cream. It has been my traditional late-night treat on Saturday for over a decade. - Rory Modlinski
Anything Jameson to drink and shepherd's pie. - Nancy Satola
Jimbo's broasted chicken and lemonade on a hot day. - Sandy Mazurek
Scotch Egg from Ward's House of Prime. Taytos from O'Malley's European Foods. An Irish Mule! - Cailin Branchford
Which artist/s are you looking forward to seeing at Irish Fest this year?
I'm especially excited to see Strange Boy, the Michael McGoldrick Family, Bog Bodies, and SuperCéilí. SuperCéilí is hosting the "Trad Rave Irish Dance Party" on Thursday at The Crossroads Stage during our Grand Hooley Preview Night, so that's where I'll be all evening. - Melissa Ward
Michael McGoldrick - Barry Stapleton
Skerryvore's 20th anniversary show. It's on Saturday at 9 p.m. at the Aer Lingus Stage. - Molly Modlinski
Bog Bodies and Niall McCabe. - Ciara Duffy
Sliabh Notes, Cherish the Ladies, and of course, all of the local bands. - Kristina Paris
Drops of Green and seeing my daughters dancing at the fest for the first time with Glencastle Irish Dancers. - Caitlin Ward
Any that I can stop by for a while and see. - Mike Boyle
Ceol Cairde, The Howley Brothers, and Gadan ft. Enda Scahill. - Rory Modlinski
The Gardiner Brothers and Kíla. - Nancy Satola
Cherish the Ladies. - Sandy Mazurek
Skerryvore's 20th Anniversary Show, Gadan ft. Enda Scahill, and Bog Bodies. - Cailin Branchford
What do you look forward to most year after year as Irish Fest approaches?
Nothing makes me happier than when I see our patrons having fun and enjoying their festival experience. I love to find a place to sit and watch and just take it all in. Maybe with a Jameson custard in hand. - Melissa Ward
New artists, especially the University of Limerick partnership scholarship winners. - Barry Stapleton
Being with the Irish Fest family and seeing everyone. It's like Christmas! - Molly Modlinski
I love the community that has been built with the festival and the joy that it brings. - Ciara Duffy
Volunteering at the Irish Fest Summer School, seeing old friends, and enjoying the festival by our beautiful Lake Michigan. Also finding that special band I never heard before and seeing the beautiful Irish step dancing with the gorgeous Celtic knotwork designs. - Kristina Paris
Seeing the joy the festival brings to people. - Caitlin Ward
Seeing everyone having fun (and thinking I help make that happen)! - Mike Boyle
Performing, but as a volunteer. I look forward to the folks I get to work with for two weeks straight during set-up and tear down. - Rory Modlinski
Seeing everyone's work come together in an amazing display of Irishness. - Nancy Satola
The music. - Sandy Mazurek
The Scattering, the last show of Irish Fest on Sunday. My favorite experience every year! - Cailin Branchford
What tip/s would you give to a first-time attendee?
Uber to the festival park or park in the Third Ward and walk to the grounds. There's so much to see and do. I definitely encourage people to download the free festival app. You can go through the schedule and save the shows you want to make sure you don't miss. - Melissa Ward
Make sure you discover the smaller stages and check out the Cultural Village. - Barry Stapleton
Visit the Celtic Canines area and dance the night away at the Dance Pavilion. - Molly Modlinski
You can get into the festival for free when you volunteer (on your shift day)! - Ciara Duffy
Come all four days since there's so much to enjoy! Mind the weather with sunscreen or a hat if needed and maybe a light jacket for the evening. Sample a little of everything since there is so much offered. - Kristina Paris
Don't forget to check out some of the rising stars from the smaller stages. - Caitlin Ward
Plan to spend a full day to be able to see it all, or better yet, a few days! - Mike Boyle
Wear comfortable shoes. - Rory Modlinski
Get the lay of the land, and try something new. - Nancy Satola
Check out as many bands as you can. Sample about half a set and check out another. - Sandy Mazurek
Be sure to check out bands you've never heard of! - Cailin Branchford