Connecticut’s 48th annual Irish Festival, Feis and Agricultural Fair will feature Celtic dance, sports, music, food and culture this weekend at the North Haven Fairgrounds.

Highlights include live Gaelic sports and entertainment, Irish and regional vendors, a 5k road race benefiting ALS research, activities for kids and demonstrations of Irish bread making, spinning, weaving, knitting and carving.

Festival spokesperson Dennis Regan labeled the event a genuine Irish celebration.

“It’s not a drink and beer experience,” he said. “It’s the real McCoy. It has all the authentic elements of Irish culture. That’s what makes it special.”

“The festival is one of the best rich and vibrant showings of Irish culture,” Regan added. “It’s a hallmark of what we do and are in terms of being Irish-Americans.”

Headlined by Enter the Haggis, a series of Irish music acts will perform all weekend in the main tent. “They’re an upbeat, Celtic rock, world style fusion band,” Regan said of the flagship artists. “They have a huge following. They’re a very, very neat experience.”

Other groups include MacTalla Mor, John Whalen, Calley McGrane, Cliudan, Kitty Kelly, Liz McNicholl, Celtic Interlude and The Moonshiners. Visitors can take to the main tent dance floor, or relax on picnic benches to wash down corned beef sandwiches with a bottle of Guinness and a cup of tea.

Traditional American festival food will also be served: hot dogs, burgers, chicken, and ice cream.

A feis, or Irish set dance competition, will take place in the newly renovated field house throughout both days. Accompanied by accordion and violin, hundreds of participants, having traveled from as far as Texas, Wisconsin and Canada, will compete in traditional colorful costumes.

“These dancers are world-class,” Regan said. “They are really talented. It’s a sight to behold. We’ve been doing this feis since the 1960s, so it’s pretty much ingrained in the whole Irish dancing circuit.”

New Haven, Boston, and Philadelphia clubs will contend in Gaelic football and hurling matches.

Children’s activities include rides, clowns, games, face painting, pony rides, storytelling, a petting zoo and agricultural activities such as shepherding and sheep shearing. Certain kids’ activities include a small fee.

Dressed in 13^th century Celtic garb, members of New Haven’s Celtic Learning Project will recount tales from their heritage.

Regan hoped those of all backgrounds would attend the festival to enjoy a cultural display. “As American as we all are, we all value our roots and heritage,” he said.

Irish authenticity, Regan reiterated, is central to the event. “You could squint a little bit and think you were in Galway or Limerick,” he said.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. Admission is $12 or $10 in advance. Admission for children under 16 is free. Admission after 7 p.m. on Saturday is $15. Pets and coolers are not allowed.

Advance tickets are available by contacting ctirishfestivaltickets@gmail.com, or at the Irish American Community Center, Venice Place in East Haven or The Playwright Restaurant, 1232 Whitney Ave. in Hamden.

The Saturday road race commences at 10:30 a.m. A Sunday Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m.

The festival is hosted by the Irish American Community Center of East Haven.

For more information, call (203)488-4902 or visit ctirishfestival.com.