In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the city buzzed with excitement as the Irish on Ionia festival made its grand return downtown. Celebrating its 11th year, this event holds the title of Michigan’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day street party.
Elise Mastio, the Marketing Director at BarFly, shared her enthusiasm about the event’s success. “We’ve had an incredible turnout… Around 10,000 tickets were sold,” she said.
The festival was a vibrant mix of entertainment, featuring live bands, DJs, dance acts, street performances, an array of food trucks, and, naturally, an abundance of beer.
This year, Irish on Ionia took a significant step towards sustainability. The event proudly achieved a zero-waste status. “We have a dedicated sustainability team here, assisting with composting and recycling efforts. We’re committed to keeping the event clean and managing waste responsibly,” Mastio explained.
Responding to feedback from previous events, the organizers introduced several improvements. “We’ve addressed concerns regarding drink tickets and long lines by upgrading our technology. We’ve moved to digital tickets to streamline entry and have gone cashless for drink purchases. Additionally, we’re experimenting with RFID bracelets, which has been quite exciting for attendees,” Mastio added.
Matthew Jackson, a recent Grand Rapids resident, experienced Irish on Ionia for the first time. “I absolutely love it here,” he told FOX 17. “I found out about it on Instagram and heard it was a fantastic event. The fact that it lasts all day is perfect, allowing you to join in whenever you wish.”
The festivities kicked off at 10 a.m. and continued until 9 p.m., offering a full day of celebration and fun.
For more updates, follow FOX 17 on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.