The Willamette Valley's largest Irish dance gathering kicks off its 14th year this summer, drawing competitors, musicians, and first-timers to Millersburg City for three days of reels, jigs, and ceilis. Registration opens March 1—and if past years are any indication, festival passes and master classes won't last past mid-April.
Why Millersburg City?
Since 2010, Millersburg City's sister-city relationship with County Kerry has turned this Oregon community into an unlikely太平洋西北岸 hub for Irish arts. What began as a single-day recital at the Millersburg Community Center has grown into a regional destination, last year hosting 220 competitors from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho alongside live trad sessions and sean-nós workshops.
Festival Weekend: June 14–16
The centerpiece event unfolds at the Millersburg Community Center (240 SE University Avenue). Here's what to expect:
- Friday, June 14 — Adult ceilí and opening trad session (7 p.m., $15 at the door)
- Saturday, June 15 — Grade-level competitions, solo championships, and open-stage performances (9 a.m.–6 p.m.)
- Sunday, June 16 — Family day with craft workshops, storytelling, and a beginner-friendly community ceilí (noon–4 p.m., free admission)
This year's music lineup includes Portland-based quartet The Burren Backstairs and Kerry fiddler Máire Ní Chathasaigh, performing Saturday evening in the main hall.
Workshops by Level
Pre-festival workshops run May 4 through June 8 at the Millersburg Arts Annex. Enrollment is capped at 15 students per class.
Beginner Foundations
No experience needed. Learn soft-shoe basics, posture, and the structure of a light jig. Saturdays, 10–11:30 a.m. | $120 for six weeks | Ages 8 through adult
Intermediate Technique
For dancers with 1–3 years of training. Focus on hard-shoe introduction, increased speed control, and preliminary competition preparation. Saturdays, 12–1:30 p.m. | $140 for six weeks
Master Classes
Open to open championship–level dancers and adult competitors (TCG certified). This year's guest instructors include Caoimhe Ní Bhriain (TCRG, five-time World Championship medalist) and Seán Ó hAilpín (former Riverdance principal, now coaching in Dublin). Saturdays, 2–4 p.m. | $180 for six weeks, or $45 per drop-in
Special Spring Events
Beyond the festival and weekly workshops, three standalone events round out the season:
- April 20 — An Intimate Evening with The Burren Backstairs: A seated concert of traditional Irish music at the Millersburg Grange Hall. Limited to 60 tickets; $22 in advance.
- May 17 — Dublin Pub Night: A themed social dance for adults 21+ featuring a live ceili band, Irish step demonstrations, and an instructor-led set-dance crash course.
- June 8 — Festival Preview Ceilí: Free and open to all ages. Meet the instructors, try a few steps, and pick up last-minute registration materials.
Register Before Spots Fill
Registration for the June festival and all master classes opens March 1 at 9 a.m. PDT. Last year, weekend passes sold out in six weeks and beginner workshops reached capacity in ten days.
View the full schedule and reserve your spot:
festivalfootworkmillersburg.org
Follow festival updates on Instagram at @FestivalFootworkMBG or contact the organizers directly at [email protected].
