For two days in mid-September, the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa, NY is home to all things Irish as the 16th Annual Irish 2000 Music & Arts Festival takes place. The festival, ranked one of the top five of its kind in the United States, kicks off with non-stop music from 5 pm to 11 pm on Friday, September 14th. On Saturday, the festival gates open at 10 am and performances continue until 11 pm with some of the best Celtic entertainment in the world.

“Irish 2000 has become a tradition -- a grand celebration of midway to St. Patrick’s Day. Each year we welcome about 15,000 people to the Fairground's for two days filled with music, dance and so much more,” said Festival Executive Director Matt Nelligan.

Irish 2000 offers the most unique line up of Irish music in the world. Everything from Celtic Punk and Jam Music to Traditional and everything in between. Irish 2000 is proud to host the reunion of The Prodigals, Ireland's premier jig-punk band. Other acts performing throughout the weekend include Ashley MacIsaac, Solas and Makem and the Spain Brothers.
The not-for-profit Irish Music and Arts Festival, Inc. organizes the annual festival. The goal of the organization is “To preserve, protect and promote Irish history and culture in the 21st century.”
In addition to producing the festival, Irish 2000 also supports other non-profit organizations. Since its inception, the festival has donated more than $350,000 to a variety of charities.

As a non-profit organization, Irish 2000 relies heavily on volunteers to make this annual Festival a success. Volunteers work an average 3-hour shift and receive free admission, free parking and a free souvenir T-shirt. To find out how you can become a volunteer, go to irish2000fest.com/festival-information/volunteers