Jim Thorpe’s history is deeply rooted in Irish heritage and has long been the St. Patrick’s Day destination of choice for all within a day’s drive. The Carbon County St. Paddy’s Day Parade, which has been the centerpiece of the region’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities has been canceled, but the Irish spirit of Jim Thorpe remains strong.

Though many will miss the parade, Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency has found a way to make St. Patrick’s Day last not just for a few hours, but for two whole weekends in March. This year, Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency will host the inaugural Irish Fest on March 9-10 as well as March 16-17.

An absolute must, if you’re trekking to Jim Thorpe to enjoy one, two, or even all four days of Irish Fest is to grab your Pot O Gold Passport. This passport entitles the holder to a FREE St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt and unlocks big discounts at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, food and drink specials at the local pubs, and 17% off at participating stores – but only if you have the passport! Proceeds from the Pot O Gold Passports will benefit Jim Thorpe’s other popular festival: the July 4th Stay at Home Festival and Fireworks. If you love taking in the summer fireworks, you’ll want to help make sure they happen this year by getting your passport before they run out.

Once you grab your passport, you’ll have a ton of magical activities to check out, including live music all over town, fiddle contests, kilt crawl, and Irish brunches. If you’ve been a parade-goer for many years, you’ll want to continue your Jim Thorpe tradition by joining in the first year of Irish Fest fun.

If you’ve never been to Jim Thorpe for St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans, this is the year to start your family tradition! You can even bring the young ones to enjoy the Irish Fest Kids Club at the Mauch Chunk Ballroom. There will be indoor activities including a bounce house, snack shack and face painting. Some of the free activities include Irish-themed games and a rock wall provided by Cathedral Rock Gym.

For the full schedule of Irish Fest events or to get your Pot O Gold Passport, visit JimThorpe.org/irish and follow Jim Thorpe Irish Fest on Facebook.  

Highlighted Events

Pot O’ Gold Passport & FREE Tshirt

March 9-10 & 16-17

​The luck of the Irish will be with you when you purchase a keepsake Pot O’ Gold Passport. Each Passport will include a FREE Irish Fest t-shirt and will unlock special discounts throughout town. There will be $5 off Mauch Chunk Opera House shows, special menu items and discounts at local restaurants and pubs, plus 17% off at all participating shops.

Youth Celtic Fiddle Showcase & Competition

Saturday, March 9 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm      Cafe Arielle at the Stabin Museum • 268 W Broadway

Jim Thorpe Irish Fest’s First Annual Youth Celtic Fiddle Contest will be held March 9, 2019, at the Stabin Museum & Café Arielle. There will be two age divisions (under 13 and 14-18), each with cash prizes for 1st-3rd places.

Tartan Terrors

Saturday, March 9 | 8:00pm – 11:00pm     Mauch Chunk Opera House • 14 W Broadway

Tartan Terrors are their own Celtic Invasion, mixing rock’s energy with traditional folklore, dance, and humor. With an arsenal featuring classic pipes and fiddle, driving drum tones, and signature guitar styles, standing-room only audiences understand why Dig This Magazine declares “(The Terrors) one act to keep an eye on!”  TICKETS: $30 each or $25 with the “Pot O’ Gold Passport”. Discount given at box office.

Brunch with Bass

Sunday, March 10 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm     Stone Row Pub & Eatery • 45-47 Race Street

A mellow brunch set featuring the eclectic stylings of Eric Szollosy, paired with the fine cuisine of Stone Row Pub & Eatery. Eric Szollosy is an eclectically styled upright bassist and vocalist whose material spans a range of eras and genres.

Blackwater Celtic Band

Sunday, March 10 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm    Cafe Arielle at the Stabin Museum • 268 W Broadway

Named for the swift river that flows through southern Ireland, Blackwater has been delivering its high-energy brand of Celtic music to audiences on the East Coast of America in pubs, concert halls and on festival stages for 22 years.  Advance Tickets: $8

Kilmaine Saints

Friday, March 15 | 8:00pm – 11:00pm Mauch Chunk Opera House • 14 W Broadway

Kilmaine Saints is a band formed on good whiskey and bad intentions. The brainchild of two members of a Harrisburg Pipe & Drum band, this side project was originally created with the sole intent of getting them free beer at St Patrick’s Day shows in the Central PA area (and might I add – mission accomplished). TICKETS: $18 each or $13 with the “Pot O’ Gold Passport”. Discount given at box office.

Mackay Pipe Band

Sunday, March 10 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, they have been entertaining the tri-state area with traditional Scottish marching band music for over 30 years! They will be roaming about town with their music echoing through the Historic District.

Bag Piper Eric Flowers

Saturday, March 16 & Sunday, March 17 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Our very own band director of the Jim Thorpe High School will be roaming around town playing his bagpipes. He is also a Chief Warrant Officer 3 Army Bandmaster for the Army Reserve and has been playing bagpipes in bands and as a soloist since 2003.

Irish Brunch at St. Mark’s Church

Saturday, March 16  | 10:00am – 2:00pm       ​St. Mark’s Church • 21 Race Street

A traditional Irish buffet-style brunch will be served as a fundraiser to preserve our National Historic Landmark. Some menu items include Smoked Loin Bacon, Irish Sausages, Jolly Boys, Scrambled Eggs, Potatoes Hash, Soda Bread and Irish Tea. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the Church on the day of the event.

Irish Fest Kilt Crawl

Saturday, March 16 | 12:00p-2:30p & 3:00p-5:30p

Your Kilt Crawl ticket will give you a guided tour, basic snacks, a water break and a free drink at each of the 5 participating pubs (Stone Row Pub, Notch Eight Craft House, Back to the 80s Bar, Broadway Grille, Molly Maguires)! Whether you’re true blooded Irish or just one for the day, you’ll be sure to have a great time and make new friends along the way!  Tickets: $26/person

Emerald Isle Step Dancers

Saturday, March 16 | 4:30pm – 5:00pm  Josiah White Park (Train Station Visitor’s Center) • 1 Susquehanna Street

Kilt Party & Best Legs Contest

Saturday, March 16 | 8:00pm – 11:00pm    Stone Row Pub & Eatery • 45-47 Race Street

As part of Jim Thorpe’s new Irish Fest we’re having a Kilt Party. Wear your sexiest kilt and firm up those calves for a “Best Legs” contest, open to both men and women! We’ll have music, contests, prizes and loads of fun. $4 Guinness and Irish food specials all day long!

Celtic Brunch

Sunday, March 17 | 11:00am – 1:00pm    Cafe Arielle at the Stabin Museum • 268 W Broadway

Come enjoy some live Celtic music at Cafe Arielle during our Sunday brunch with Jim & Stephanie – a Father/Daughter Fiddle and Guitar duo playing traditional Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton music that will make you smile as much as your Stout!

Brunch with Bass

Sunday, March 17 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm    Stone Row Pub & Eatery • 45-47 Race Street

A mellow brunch set featuring the eclectic stylings of Eric Szollosy, paired with the fine cuisine of Stone Row Pub & Eatery. Eric Szollosy is an eclectically styled upright bassist and vocalist whose material spans a range of eras and genres.