The official opening of the festival will take place at approximately 12:00PM.

At that time, we will "strike the colors" (U.S. and Irish flags) which will be brought into the park grounds by Rod Owens, the Lochiel Emerald Pipes & Drums as well as the 69th NY State Volunteers and the Irish Volunteer Historical Society.

We will also have a general invocation at that time.

The 69th New York State Volunteers Historical Association is a non-profit living history organization founded in 1984 for the purpose of accurately portraying the life of the Irish soldier in the Union Army to the general public. We are a family-friendly unit that emphasizes historical research and authenticity, safety, battalion drill and battlefield tactics. At present we have over 60 members from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio and other locations worldwide. Members dress in historically accurate uniforms and equipment of the 69th NYSV with an emphasis on the regiment as it appeared in 1862, carry reproduction weapons, and camp in period tents or campaign style. We meet regularly for battle reenactments, parades, and living history events throughout the year.

Rodney Owens has played the Highland Bagpipes (or Irish Warpipes) at many special occasions in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol for Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and other dignataries. Rodney has played international venues in Ireland, Scotland and England. He has had the distinct honor of leading off the re-instituted 2000 St. Patrick's Day PArade in Harrisburg, Pa. as the "lone piper".

Rodney has studied at the Balmoral school and the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. He has recently taken up the Uilleann Pipes (or Irish bagpipe) and is a member of the Irish Pipers Society, Na Piobaire Uilleann, Dublin Ireland. He is also an honorary member and piper of the Old Comrades Association of the Royal Scottish Fusiliers Regiment in Ayr, Scotland. 

Irish Volunteer Historical Society (West Cork Flying Column 1919-1921): The West Cork Flying Column was one of the units that fought for the Irish Republic in the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-1922. The origins of the conflict date back to 300 years of English Occupation of Ireland. This frustration finally manifested itself in the Uprising of 1916 which was either efficiently or brutally put down, depending upon who you talk to, by British Forces.

Many of the surviving leaders of the 1916 Uprising became the leaders of the Irish Republic, which declared itself the legitimate government of Ireland on the 21st of January 1919. What followed was the Anglo-Irish War pitting regular English Army troops, supplemented by the "Auxiliaries" and the "Black and Tans" comprised of unemployed veterans, against the Army of Irish Volunteers, organized into Brigades based on geographical location. Out of these Brigades would come Flying Columns, assembled to conduct specific missions and able to strike hard and disappear rapidly.

The Flying Column from West Cork is equipped with civilian weapons and captured English equipment. Come by for a chat and a cup of tea, you may find yourself among friends.