On April 26, 2025, North Penn High School in Lansdale,
Pennsylvania, hosted the 36th annual International Spring Festival.
Each year, the festival brings together different cultures through food, music,
performances, and country displays. It is one of the largest, if not THE
largest, international festivals hosted by a high school on the East Coast.
For me, this year was special because I got to host Ireland’s
table. I have been going to this festival since I was a kid, so being on the
other side of the tables was a first. I wanted to host Ireland’s table because
when I went to the festival last year, they did not have an Ireland table and I
figured if I wanted it, I would do it myself.
Throughout the year, I thought about what I wanted to bring
with me. A few years ago, I made a model of Poulnabrone for an online archaeology
conference contest. I had forgotten about it but it was still in my basement. I
remembered it the day before so I decided to take that. I made a canvas poster
of fun facts about Ireland. One of my favorite Willow Tree Angels is the Irish
step dancer, so I included that along with a small Irish flag. Also, I included
the Hanna hat I got when I was in high school from an Irish shop at the beach.
Over the course of my life, I have collected several books
about Ireland and Irish culture. The one that means the most to me is the book
about traveling to Ireland that my best friend got me when we graduated from high
school. She wrote a really sweet message inside. I decided to include this in
my table. I also brought an Irish cookbook and a book on learning the Irish
language.
In the week leading up to the event, I was admittedly
nervous. I had received emails with information and I made sure to read them thoroughly
so I did not miss anything. On Friday night, I gathered all of my items and
packed them in a bag.
The morning of the festival, I work up and had breakfast
(dino nuggets). I wore my tartan skirt that I wore for my Claire Fraser cosplay
at New York Comic Con and a black t-shirt. I also wore my trinity knot necklace.
When I got to the school, I parked near the entrance I
needed to go through to set up my table. I took my stuff in and went to the
information table to be directed to my table. When I arrived, I got my stuff
set up, which only took a few minutes. I had time to settle in and make sure
things were to my liking. There was information on my table, so I read that. I
also had a chance to meet my table neighbors: Italy to my left and the area
Democrats to my right!
Finally, it was 10 am and time to start the event. The day’s
performances started off with a local Irish dance school performance. I love
watching Irish dancing, especially hard-shoe dancing. They did some songs from
Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, but they also did other songs. My favorite? “Rocky
Road to Dublin” by the High Kings!
Things began to pick up and get busier as time went on. As a
part of the festival, the countries' tables are encouraged to participate in
the passport program. Kids (and adults, too!) can pick up a passport paper.
Each country has a designated trivia question that is listed on the passport.
As the kids go around to the countries, they are asked trivia questions. Mine
was “Who is the patron saint of Ireland?” with the answer being St. Patrick
(though there are three patron saints of Ireland).
My brother did come relieve me so I could get lunch and take
care of myself. The break was welcome as the room was loud with so much going
on. For lunch, I had chicken lo mein and it was delicious!
Next year, if I end up doing it again (I want to!), I want
to include more items in my display. I loved the items I did bring, but I do wish
I had a few more things, and someone else made that comment as well. I want to
see if I can have a different trivia question. Throughout the day, I wished I
had taken a water bottle, so I want to remember to bring one with me next year.
Overall, it was such a fun day! I loved watching parents
tell their kids that they have Irish heritage and watching the kids learn about
Ireland. It was also cool to see kids with other kinds of heritage learn about
cultures other than their own. The community of the tables around me caring for
each other and meeting each other was incredible to witness. Congratulations to
all involved and thanks to all who came out and participated in the festival!