By Stephanie Edwards

Green is the traditional color of the Irish.

This makes it fitting that the Irish Festival of Knoxville is going green (environmentally friendly.)

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on  July 25-26 at World’s Fair Park.

None of the waste produced by festival goers will be taken to landfills, and extensive measures have been taken to offset the event’s impact on the environment.

“It seems to fit perfectly that we make our festival ‘green’ in every sense of the word,” said Jon Ferrie, president of the Irish Festival of Knoxville.

Because many East Tennesseans have Irish ancestry, this is the perfect excuse for them to learn more about their heritage.

Musical and dancing performances, as well as information booths, will provide a unique cultural experience.

Irish music and dance groups that are scheduled to perform include the following:

•Heart of Oakland, Irish ballads
•Four Leaf Peat Band, Traditional Irish
•Shamrock Road Band, Irish Ballads
•Lahinch Mob, Irish rock ‘n’ roll
•Kelly School of Dance, traditional Irish step and Ceili dancing
•Irish Dancers, Riverdance style dancing
•Knoxville Bagpipe & Drum

Other performance groups include the South Eastern Clogging Company and Southern rock ‘n’ roll bands the Chill Billies and Soul Water.

“Not only are we providing an opportunity for the community to learn about both Ireland and the impact the Irish community has had in Knoxville, but we are also providing an opportunity to learn about the environment and the effects our pollutants have on the future of our world,” Ferrie said.

“This is an excellent learning opportunity all the way around.”

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children.

All of the festival proceeds will benefit the Fraternal Order of Police (Volunteer Lodge #2), the Knoxville Firefighter’s Association, the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Remote Area Medical Foundation and the Ulster Project.
For more information, visit www.irishfestknox.org.