10/25/2026
He’s Not Dead Yet! Sully’s Irish Pub Celebrates 15th Annual “Irish Wake for Sully” in Medina
A New Orleans-style funeral procession, a horse-drawn hearse, and a celebration of life bring an unforgettable tradition back to Historic Medina on October 25.
MEDINA, OHIO — Most people hope to avoid their own funeral. Sully, however, decided 15 years ago that his wake sounded like far too much fun to miss.
On Sunday, October 25, Sully’s Irish Pub will bring that unconventional idea to life for the 15th Annual Irish Wake for Sully—a beloved Medina tradition that blends Irish pub spirit, New Orleans-style funeral pageantry, live music, and a powerful reminder to make the most of the time we have.
The festivities will begin at 12:45 p.m. with a New Orleans-style funeral procession through the block immediately surrounding Sully’s Irish Pub (mourners are asked to gather the the old municipal court house at 12:30pm). The procession will feature a horse-drawn hearse and a gathering of “mourners” paying their respects to a man who is, thankfully, still very much alive. The surrounding block will be temporarily closed during the parade, which is expected to conclude around 1 p.m.
Following the procession, Sully’s casket will be escorted into the pub by his pallbearers. From 1 to 4 p.m., The New Barleycorn will lead the “services,” inviting guests to gather for an afternoon of music, camaraderie, and celebration.
While the spectacle may sound like an unusual way to spend a Sunday afternoon, the heart of the event is anything but morbid.
The Irish Wake for Sully is not about making light of death or mocking a funeral. It is about celebrating life while we have it. What began as one man's tongue-in-cheek determination not to miss his own wake has grown into an annual reminder that life is precious, tomorrow is never guaranteed, and the people who matter most deserve to know it.
The message is simple: Don't wait for a funeral to tell someone what they mean to you. Don't put off the things that bring you joy. And don't miss an opportunity to celebrate the people who make life special.
Fifteen years later, Sully’s Irish Pub is keeping that spirit alive—and inviting the community to be part of it.
Event Details
What: 15th Annual Irish Wake for Sully
When: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Parade: 12:45–1 p.m.
Live music and “services”: 1–4 p.m., featuring The New Barleycorn
Where: Sully’s Irish Pub, Medina, Ohio
Attire: Guests are asked to attend in their best mourning attire
Come for the unusual procession. Stay for the music, the laughter, and the reminder that life is worth celebrating.
After all, Sully isn't going anywhere just yet.
