The summer Irish festival season is now in full swing, and from the small-scale offerings to massive three-day music events, there's one for you, nationwide. This week the Irish Voice picks some tried and tested highlights.

July 13-15 sees the annual Irish American Heritage Festival in Chicago. A weekender celebrating the best in Irish music, dancing, food, and cultural exhibits, the festival benefits the Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC) which is dedicated to recognizing and strengthening Irish American culture and heritage. The festival attracts 10,000 people from all over the Midwest, and proceeds directly support the operating costs of the IAHC.

July 14 and 15, the Colorado Irish Festival in Littleton, Colorado takes place. It features a feis, Gaelic Games, pipe bands, a cultural village and Irish crafts and knitwear. The festival features no less than three stages crammed with music and song. Scheduled artists include the gifted Eileen Ivers, the Makem and Spain Brothers and Enter the Haggis.

On August 3-5 is the Dublin Irish Festival, but this time in Dublin, Ohio. An anniversary to remember is shaping up when the festival, now celebrating its 20th year, has dance and music ignite on seven stages featuring returning favorites and fresh, young artists. From reunion tribute bands to world debut dancers to a mix of symphonic and Celtic rock, this festival is the hottest ticket this summer.

"We're making the most of our anniversary weekend and our line up reflects it," Sandra Puskarcik, Festival director told the Irish Voice. "We've even extended festival hours opening earlier Friday and staying open later Sunday to make sure we do it right. Every day, every stage offers more entertainment value than ever before and Sunday is no exception," she added.

Irish bands slated to attend include Flogging Molly, Black 47, Gaelic Storm, Tommy Makem, Celtic Tenors, Armagh Rhymers and Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul.

"This line up has a taste of tradition and a dose of adrenalin that combine to appeal to music and dance lovers of all ages," Puskarcik said. "We're as excited about those new to our stages like the Step Crew and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra as we are about returning favorites like Flogging Molly and Celtic Tenors."

On August 4 a far-flung Irish festival kicks off with the Alaska Irish Music Festival, held in downtown Anchorage. Past performers include (and will include again) Martin Hayes, Mick Moloney, Fiona Buckley, Cherish the Ladies and the O'Hare School of Irish Dance.

On August 10-12, the Irish Connections music and arts festival takes place at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, Massachusetts. Among the many featured performers are the Black Crowes, Nanci Griffith, Dropkick Murphys, the Saw Doctors and so much more throughout the event's multiple stages.

Also on August 10-12 another highland Irish festival occurs in Butte, Montana including dance workshops, Irish fairs, pipe bands and Irish language classes and even a 10K race.

On August 10-12 the Irish Fair of Saint Paul, Minnesota kicks off on the banks of the Mississippi River for a three-day celebration of Irish heritage with music, dance, family activities and good craic.

Since 2001, Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul has hosted the fair. The festival is recognized as one of the most family-friendly events in the Twin Cities, and one of the most authentic Irish festivals nationwide - and an amazingly great time out by the nearly 100,000 people who attended last year's festival.

On August 24-26 the Buffalo Irish Festival takes place, boasting three days of Celtic music, crafts and dancing. Featured acts include Dublin City Ramblers, Scythian, Barley juice and the O'Sullivan School of Dance.

September 7-8 are the dates for this year's Syracuse Irish Festival. Featuring music, dance, song, genealogy, culture and children's activities, the 2007 festival is in a transition year between the Syracuse Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Cultural Resources Council. Acts scheduled to appear this year include the Makem and Spain Brothers, the Fenians and Searson.

On September 7-9 the Pittsburgh Irish Festival opens. This year for the first time they will be moving their annual three-day cultural festival to Riverplex at Sandcastle near the Waterfront in West Homestead/Pittsburgh. Due to the switch this year's line up is currently being finalized, but the festival will certainly be held.

On September 7-9 the Rochester Irish Festival will be held at Irondequoit, New York. Consisting solely of volunteers, the festival's goal is to provide the Rochester community, and beyond, a yearly exhibition of Irish heritage and culture. Bands scheduled to appear include the Wild Geese, the Celtic Music Society and Everheart.

On September 14-15 the Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival kicks off in Albany, New York. Headline act this year will be the Tossers, a group that emerged in the early '90s with their own brew of Celtic music fueled by a love of traditional folk songs and punk rock fury.