| About the Festival
 MISSION STATEMENT
The Great American Irish Festival, Inc., is the primary fundraising arm for the Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Center. As this name implies, this organization has as its underlying purpose the furtherance of an appreciation and understanding of Irish/Celtic music, culture and history. While the GAIF itself has been an unqualified success, it is only a means to an end. The ultimate goal of the corporation, given the rich Irish heritage in Central New York, is to establish and maintain a state of the art cultural center that will be regional in scope, exploring the history and importance of the Irish in Central New York. This facility will provide a place where the Irish culture can continue to thrive and serve as a permanent meeting site for the local chapters of various Celtic/Irish based organizations, including the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, the Ladies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the NYS Corrections Emerald Society and the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee (which was recently assumed by GAIF, Inc.). It is also hoped that the Center will eventually provide a base for anyone in the community interested in furthering their understanding of Irish culture and history through study and research, including such interests as genealogy.
The corporation's purpose is solely for charitable and educational purposes.
Comments From the Bands
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Friday and Saturday was the highlight of Irish festivals in New York State-we were one of the headlining acts at the Great American Irish Festival in Herkimer County just outside of Utica. I must admit that this is the best and most organized Irish festival in New York State if not the country, and take it from us (a band that performs close to 150 concerts a year!) that this is one of the best festivals.
A blistering set on Friday night with thousands in attendance at our concert set the stage & we did steal the show. Saturday had us performing in the late afternoon to a rousing audience that left no one sitting. A special thanks to Matt Sullivan for a job well done; the volunteers, again, were amazing and friendly. We played along side such notable bands as Eileen Ivers – Enter the Haggis – The Elders – Hair of the Dog – Seamus Kennedy – The Prodigals – Paddy Noonan – Searson – Rathkeltair – Millish – Fieldstone – Kyndred – Cassidy/ McCale – Pat Kane – The Blarney Rebel Band – Cliudan - Gerry Dixon – John Gilligan – Vince Colgan and Rattlin Bog… all great entertainers, very professional, and talented individuals.
Graham Wright
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| Glengarry Bhoys - from "Roadkill" 2007 May their memory live on forever |
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You guys really have it all together there. Best of luck on the years to come -
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| Andy Cooney |
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The GAIF is one of the most professionally run festivals we've been to. From the moment we got there to the moment we left we were well taken care of. Rare for an event in its third year to be so exceptional. Keep up the good work and we look forward to being a part of the festival next year -
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| Dave Barton - The Peelers |
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We had a great time- it was very professionally run, which goes a long way with us -
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| Shane Makem, the Makem Bros. |
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Again, thank you for the warmth, the welcome, the complete professionalism and the great folks you choose to work with us - they are genuinely terrific people.
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| Cathie Ryan |
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Just saw my first "Dogs" show at the Great American Irish Festival. It was truly the highlight of the festival for me. What a great time! Looking forward to seeing the band again soon.
Robert Burns - USA - 31/07/2006
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| From the Old Blind Dogs Website - 2006 |
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The weather took a bad turn on Saturday afternoon. It was a severe electrical storm with high winds. Several camp tents (two in Camp Haggis and some others nearby) were flipped over in the high winds. But everyone was ok and the GAIF people handled the situation very well. The festival organizers and small army of volunteers should be commended for their helpfulness, grace under pressure, etc."
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| From the Enter the Haggis website - 2006 |
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...Utica was a great success. First time the festival was held and they did a terrific job. It was great to hang out with The Fenians, Seanchai and others. |
| From the Prodigals website - 2004 |
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Utica was muddy but they had a very nice large tent with fantastic sound!!! (just remember sound).
The Bhoys played to a packed house in and out of the tent. Everyone enjoyed!! I was standing just on the edge of the tent and it started to rain a little. Who cares the Bhoys are playing! Than the rain progressively got worse. Who cares the Bhoys are playing! The Bhoys rhocked that tent and the crowd begged for an encore! We wanted a couple more encores but there was another band to follow and the Bhoys had a date in Syracuse. It was a nice music festival and they had a lot of good bands I wish I could stay but it was off to Syracuse...
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| "Road Kill" from the Glengarry Bhoys website - 2004 |
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"The festival was OUTSTANDING! I heard compliments all the while I was there from musicians and spectators alike about what a great event it was. It seems impossible that it was the first year. It was run better than many festivals that have been in existence for plenty more years. Congratulations to everyone involved!" |
| Donal O' Shaughnessy - 2004 |
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"The Great American Irish Festival...it's about music and tradition, culture and dance, fun and families!" |
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