The Second Annual Music City Irish Fest was multiple hours of fun in downtown Nashville.
An estimated 20,000 party-goers enjoyed a full day of Irish crafts, food, and of course, music.
The free celebration connected Nashville to one of our 'sister cities' -- Belfast, Ireland.
PHOTOS: 2nd Annual Irish Fest Hits Music City
The festivities were opened by Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, along with former Mayors Karl Dean and Bill Purcell. They were joined by Belfast’s Lord Mayor Arder Carson and several other dignitaries.
Mayor Barry presented a proclamation which honored the late Dr. Ian and Katherine Brick. The Bricks worked to establish Nashville’s Sister City relationship with Belfast.
May 22 has now been memorialized as “Dr. Ian and Katherine Brick Day.”
“It is an honor to celebrate the lives and legacies of Dr. Ian and Katherine Brick, who were so instrumental in forging a lasting friendship between Nashville and Belfast,” Mayor Barry said. “I look forward to honoring their memory by continuing to strengthen the ties between our two cities by working with Lord Mayor Carson and our partners in Belfast and Northern Ireland through an exchange of culture and music, as well as commerce and trade.”
Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capitol, has been Nashville’s official Sister City since 1995 with a partnership that has focused on social justice projects and education exchanges. The two cities have also focused on musical, cultural, and economic development opportunities.
“There’s been a long standing relationship with Belfast and Nashville,” Belfast Lord Mayor Carson said. “Dr. Ian and Katherine Brick were instrumental in establishing that link, and it’s an honor to be part of today’s ceremony.”
The festival ran till 11 p.m. Saturday in the Demonbreun Hill area.
