Dundalk Heritage Fair returns with rides, pig races, rock 'n' roll

Dundalk’s annual Heritage Fair returned in full force this weekend.

With sunny skies overhead, thousands came back to Heritage Park to catch the three-day festival of live music, fair rides, games and all sorts of family-friendly entertainment.

Started in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial, the annual festival is a celebration of Dundalk’s patriotic spirit put on by the Heritage Association of Greater Dundalk.

But it doesn’t come together overnight, according to Heritage Association President Eric Davis.

“It takes anywhere from 100 to 150 volunteers over two weeks to make this happen,” Davis said.

Rows of vendors drew crowds for food, games and family-fun activities like arts and crafts and face painting. Longtime favorites like karaoke in the beer garden and the pig races were as popular as ever.

Carnival rides are an anchor of the fair, and this year saw the return of the rides-only preview night on Thursday. Swings, bumper cars and the whirling “Round Up” were fan favorites on the grounds of Dundalk Elementary School.

While kids love the rides, music is what draws fans young and old back to the Heritage Fair every year. With 20 live musical acts across two stages, Heritage Fair concerts are a highlight of the summer.

Some artists like Irish folk group Corkers and Polish folk group Wiślanie showcase the immigrant history of Dundalk. Others are regular features at the fair, like Get the Led Out, The Mahoney Brothers and Gene Vincent and the Cadillac Cruisers.

“It’s been about 25 years since the first time we played the Dundalk Heritage Fair and we’ve been back several times since,” said Tim Mahoney of the Mahoney Brothers. “We enjoy it and it’s a good crowd.”

In addition to the talented cover bands and more traditional artists, the fair has hosted its share of bona fide rock stars like Vince Neil, KIX, Crack the Sky, Night Ranger and Joan Jett. This year, the Heritage Fair added former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler to that list.

“We love playing city fairs,” Adler said. “It’s an opportunity for us to connect with fans in a laid back setting. I always tell people, you don’t know the USA until you have driven across it. Playing fairs gives us the opportunity to have a true local experience.”

Rocco Geppi contributed to the reporting of this story.