Worcester Irish Festival Begins Saturday At Greek Church

WORCESTER, MA — St. Patrick's Day is still just under two weeks away, but Worcester isn't waiting to celebrate.

The 37th annual Irish Festival begins Saturday at noon at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. The day-long festival will include regional and national bands, plus Irish step dancers and bagpipers.

And of course corned beef, cabbage, and beer. Here's the lineup for the festival:

• 12:15 p.m. — Opening ceremonies with Boston-based Colonial Pipers Bagpipe Band
• 12:30 p.m. — A performance by the Murphy Academy of Irish Dance (Grafton)
• 1:30 p.m. — The Minneapolis rock group The Belfast Cowboys band will play music by Irish artists
• 4:30 p.m. — A performance by the McInerney School of Irish Dance (Auburn)
• 6 p.m. — The festival will close with a performance by The Joshua Tree Band, a U2 tribute

The festival runs noon to 9 p.m. at Saint Spyridon, 102 Russell St. Admission is $7, $6 for seniors over age 60, and free for kids under 12.