Rockland Feis Draws Huge Crowds

Pat Dwyer did not expect to run the Rockland County Feis for more than one year.

The chairperson of the Feis committee is now in her 32nd year with the largest event of its kind in North America.

The 38th Annual Rockland County Feis is expected to draw over 5,000 people to the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area in Stony Point, NY, a crowd that will be coming and going from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"Coming and going all day, we will have between 5,000 and 8,000 people," Dwyer said. "It is the biggest Feis in America. We get the most pipe bands. We have over 30 pipe bands.

"I just thought this would be a one-year thing. I didn't think I'd be doing it for two years, much less 32. But we have a great committee. They are like family."

The Feis, a celebration of Irish culture, includes dance competitions, music and singing and a Gaelic football contest among its wide variety of field games. Event start times can be fluid with so many things going on.

"We have a lot going on all at once," Dwyer said. "People ask me if I will be happy when it is over, but I look forward to it. To me, the year is divided three ways -- Christmas, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Feis and they are all separated by four months. It is great fun."

Games will include races for the kids, a sheaf throwing and a Gaelic football game between the NYPD and a Rockland County team. In sheaf throwing, a bundle of straw is tossed vertically with a pitchfork.

Gate admission is $12 per person. children under 14 are admitted free with family. There is also a $6 parking fee.

Expected start times for some of the events are as follows.

• Dedication - 8:45 a.m.
• Dance Competitions Begin - 9 a.m.
• Musi Competitions - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Mass - 11 a.m.
• Art and Celtic Design - 11 a.m. (artwork on display by 10 a.m.)
• Irish Breads Competition - Noon
• Gaelic Football, NYPD vs. Rockland County -- 1 p.m.
• Sheaf throwing -- begins after football game
• Kids races -- 2 p.m.
• Special Needs Competition - 1 p.m.
• Irish Language Competiton - 2 p.m.
• Pipe Bands March together - 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Old Time Waltz Contest - 5:50 p.m.
• Celtric Cross Show Band - 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.