Irish Wake 2026

WAUPACA – The Waupaca Community Arts Board’s (WCAB) 26th Annual Irish Wake will be happening on Saturday, March 14, at the H.H. HINDER Brewery Taproom and their adjoining venue, The Eight10.
Since 2023, the Irish Wake has been co-hosted by H.H. HINDER Brewing Co. This year the event will be expanding to take a deeper step into Irish culture. There will be two Irish Culture Craft workshops offered at The Eight10, right next door to H.H. HINDER, from 2 to 4 p.m. One is an Irish Calligraphy class being taught by renowned artist and calligraphy expert, Davette Leonard. The other will be a class teaching the skill of Irish Scone baking with local baker, Judy Gisvold. These events for ages 8-98 have limited seating. The cost is $10 per session per person. We are able to offer these workshops at a reduced rate thanks to generous donations from the Friends of WCAB annual campaign. Participants can sign up for one or both classes if they wish, but enrollment is limited and preregistration is required at www.waupacaarts.org.
Irish Music starts at 2 p.m. in the H.H. HINDER Taproom with John Laedtke and friends playing traditional Irish music. The Honor Roll process will take place throughout the event, facilitated by Barb Laedtke. There will be a coffin procession to The Eight10 complete with Richard Sarnwick playing the bagpipes. Delicious eats will be available onsite from Klinger’s Real Barbeque, including traditional corned beef and cabbage. The evening will continue with an Irish dance performance by Ariel Birkel, a dancer for nineteen years, twelve of them being Irish dancing. Live music by the band Flip O’ the Coin. The HINDER Taproom will serve their special Irish Wake Stout, celebrating 26 years of this beloved Waupaca tradition, forged in Love, Song and Remembrance.
“It’s been an honor to see this event grow over the years,” said Reynolds. “We are proud that we have been able to retain the serious tone of love, forgiveness and remembrance amid the revelry of a pub-crawl atmosphere that is just so much fun!”
Following the Irish Wake on Saturday, Doc Kelly’s will have live music with Flip O the Coin on Tuesday, March 17th. For more details go to www.waupacaarts.org.
Over those years, many twists and turns, including Covid, have impacted the Irish Wake but through it all the event has evolved and continues to offer a unique experience to all who attend. “It’s hard to believe that we have been doing this for 26 years,” says WCAB President, Marci Reynolds. “It’s truly an event that started with friends and grew to take on a life of its own, creating a Waupaca tradition.”