Contests

2024 Raffle Information
Join the fun in Irish Fest's annual raffle and you could win some fantastic prizes! The raffle is located at the Raffle and Information booth.

• Round-Trip Airfare for 2 to Dublin, courtesy of Aer Lingus*, plus $2,000 toward an Ireland Land Package, courtesy of Celtic Tours**

*Airfare tickets are valid over 1 year with travel completed by 9/30/2025, noting blackout dates and possible peak travel dates. Non-transferable and no cash redemption value. Tickets must be used together on the same dates for Economy class round-trip from Chicago to Dublin on Aer Lingus based on availability. Other conditions apply, see www.irishfest.com for all conditions. 

**Prize may not be redeemed for cash. Prize value of $2,000 awarded to the winner. Prize can be applied to any Ireland vacation of your choice. Any arrangements over the $2,000 value, will be the responsibility of the prize winner. Should the package fall short of $2,000, a future credit can be applied for up to one year from date of travel to return to Ireland with Celtic Tours. Once Celtic Tours is notified of the winner’s name, prize is nontransferable. While there are no specific blackout dates, travel will be based on availability at the time of booking. Travel must commence no later than August 2025.  

• October 2024 Tour for Two, courtesy of Harp & Eagle Tours. Includes 7 nights at Old Ground Hotel, Ennis County Clare, daily breakfast, and airfare for two (2). *Restrictions apply. 

• $1,500 cash

• $500 cash

Raffle tickets can be purchased on the grounds for $5 for one ticket, $10 for three tickets, and $20 for eight tickets.
Raffle ticket sales will end on Sunday at 6:30pm.
The raffle drawing takes place on Sunday at the Aer Lingus Stage at 7:00 pm.

Testimonials:
"My husband and I would like to thank Milwaukee Irish Fest and all the very kind and helpful people at Celtic Tours who made our trip to Ireland such a great experience! The trip worked out better than I had ever imagined. Celtic Tours was very easy to work with and once we were on our way, things could not have gone more smoothly! We enjoyed every minute of our trip, particularly once my husband got used to driving on the 'other' side of the road! Truly, everything was amazing and there were absolutely no problems! We enjoyed the natural beauty of Ireland, learnin about its history, and met some very nice people. My husband was even able to 'hook up' with a fishing guide once we were in Killarney and spent a long morning fishing, while I did some shopping and watched the Royal Wedding! The accommodations were all lovely, particularly the night at Ballyseede Castle, which was an unexpected treat! Thank you again Milwaukee Irish Fest!" ~ Bruce and Julia R.

View Past Winners

Children's Red Hair & Freckles Contests
If you are of the age 0 to 12 years old, have freckles and/or red hair, join the fun! Each winner receives a trophy or medal and is invited to be a part of the pop-up festival parade! Sign-up will be available before the contest at The Crossroads area.

Children's Freckle Contest is Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at The Crossroads and the Children's Red Hair Contest is Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the The Crossroads.

Adult's Red Hair & Freckles Contests

Adult's Freckle Contest is Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at The Crossroads and the Adult's Red Hair Contest is Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at The Crossroads.

View Past Winners
 

THE EDWARD J. WARD MEMORIAL PHOTO CONTEST
The 2024 photos are in! Help us determine the award for Viewer's Choice! Voting is open until August 14th. 

The photo contest is sponsored by Bob & Barb O'Brien.

Vote for Viewer's Choice

Click here to view and print Contest Rules.

Click here to view and print Art and Model release forms
 

View Past Winners

2024 Poetry Contest - Open June 1st and Closes July 14th
The Milwaukee Irish Fest poetry award for the Donn Goodwin Prize will be given to the entry that best reflects Irish or Irish-American poetry traditions. Although the poems do not necessarily need to have direct Irish or Irish-American themes, the winning entry should have a cultural or literary relation to either Ireland, Irish-America, or to Irish poetry.

The person with the winning submission as determined by our panel of adjudicators will receive a $100 honorarium and will be invited to read their poem at Milwaukee Irish Fest (if available).

• The Donn Goodwin Prize is named after a Wisconsin poet, linguist, and educator who was active in supporting poetry events at Irish Fest. This contest is open to all.

View Past Winners

Rules for Submitting Entries
Please read all instructions before submitting your form. 

• Each contestant may submit no more than one poem.
• Each entry should be the poet's original work and should not have appeared previously in publication.
• Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm (CT) on July 14, 2024. They must be received by July 14th to be considered.
• All entries must be emailed or snail mailed.
  Email your entry to: poetry@irishfest.com
  Or mail your entry to:
       POETRY CONTESTS
       Milwaukee Irish Fest
       1532 Wauwatosa Ave
       Wauwatosa, WI 53213
• Each entry should have a cover document that contains
  • The poet's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
  • The poem's title
  • The poet's name or other identifying information should appear only on the cover sheet..

View Past Winners

Limerick Contest 
Create an original limerick following the contest guidelines provided in the link below.  Submit online by Wednesday, August 9th to limerickcontest@irishfest.com or hand-deliver your entry form to the Info Cottage in the Cultural Village by 7PM on Saturday, August 19th. 

The winning submission will receive $15 and their limerick will be featured on the Irish Fest website. Click the button below for the printable entry form and additional contest details.

Limerick Entry Form
 

2024 Winning Limerick

By: Paul Sandberg

Like clockwork I'll appear

Shamrock cookie in hand,

Listening to a great band

Wearing my Irish Fest gear.