Although the skies above may have been gray, Old Town Fairfax was orange and green Saturday, Sept. 26 as the O’Neill Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) conducted its annual Irish Folk Festival.

Each year, the festival promotes and celebrates Irish music and dance, draws some of the biggest names in the world of Irish music and even introduces some new, local faces to the community.

“We’re trying to promote Irish culture for the next generation,” said Festival Co-Chairman Maddy O’Neill-Dean. “As Irish musicians, it’s all about carrying on the tradition.”

The festival took place in Old Town Fairfax for the first time this year, as past problems with weather forced the festival’s organizers to look for a new location. Every year since the Malcom Branch of CCE, a Dublin-based non-profit organization involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture, took the over the festival after a similar one folded in Maryland, it has taken place at Van Dyke Park.

However, last year, the festival was rained out, so this year, Joanna Ormesher, the city’s cultural tourism and marketing manager, secured space in a cluster of buildings at Chain Bridge Road and Main Street so that weather would not ruin the day. The central location was the Auld Shebeen Irish Pub and Restaurant, where traditional Irish bands played and Irish dance performances took place throughout the day on the dance floor.

The highlight performances of the day took place in the “Space,” a large commercial space turned into an arts center by the city. Liz Carroll, winner of the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Award Winner and All Ireland Champion fiddler and All-Ireland Champ Accordionist Billy McComiskey both performed. Festival Co-Chairman Jesse Winch said that the two world-renowned musicians brought a greater level of prestige to the festival.

“This is kind of a high watermark for us,” Winch said. “They really bring stature to the event. When there’s a community gathering, the great players get together.”

Though the most well known artists may have been gracing the main stage, a new addition to the festival was showcasing the headline artists of the future. In the “Space’s” adjoining art gallery, a series of children’s performances were offered for the first time in the festival’s 12 years. Throughout the day, children of all ages played music for the small crowds gathered inside the gallery. Performances ranged from solo numbers, to duos to entire families playing together.

“Their performances were amazing,” said Scott Turner, teacher at the CCE’s “NoVa Irish Session,” an Irish music instructional program for beginners. “They played really beautifully today and made it their own tune. These kids just take to the music like it’s natural.”

Though weather did all it could to disrupt the day’s events, the festival’s organizers and attendees alike managed to put it in perspective and enjoy the good food, great music and Irish spirit.

“It may be raining,” O’Neill-Dean said. “But it certainly is an Irish day, and it has been a success.”