Kansas City's Irish Festival will take place once again this year at Crown Center on August 31st thru September 2nd.
It's a grand ole' time with everything Irish: music, food, dancing, clothing, jewelry, decor.
From the size of the crowd you'd think everyone who's Irish in Kansas City attends! This year plans to be bigger and better.
Here's what they are saying about it on their website:
New for Irish Fest '07:
Expanded festival grounds
Kansas City Irish Fest will expand out of Crown Center's Festival Plaza into the streets of Grand Ave. This new space makes room for another main stage, the Boulevard stage, to accommodate the festival's remarkable list of internationally and locally-known performers.
Celebrate the Fest's fifth with $5 off admission
Kansas City Irish Fest is offering a special promotion on Friday, August 31, in celebration of its fifth anniversaryâ–¬$5 off regular price adult admission. Discount is only available when tickets are purchased online at www.kcirishfest.com.
The green is getting greener
Kansas City Irish Fest is recycling this year, in partnership with Bridging The Gap and Kansas City Power & Light. Irish Fest expects patrons to empty approximately 25,000 plastic bottles of water and soda over the three day weekend and the festival's goal is to see that not one ends up in a landfill. Next to every trash can will be a clearly-marked recycling container and volunteers with handouts on how to make life "greener."
Show your inner Michael Flatley
Dance Dance Revolution is coming to Kansas City Irish Fest. The festival is putting its own spin on the dance game, calling it Jig Jig Revolution. DDR comes to the Fest courtesy of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dance Dance Revolution Club.
Irish carnival
Kansas City Irish Fest loves children, as evidenced by the 10,000 kids that came through the Children's Area in 2006. This year, Kansas City Irish Fest is making the area bigger and better-and more of the kiddie carnival that it is. The Children's Area will feature several inflatable moonwalks, Irish-named carnival games and will even have its own ferris wheel.
Children's Ferris wheel
Ferris wheels have garnered international interest in the news lately for their popularity around the world. This year, Kansas City Irish Fest will have one too, albeit on a small scale for the kids.
So, you think you can bake? Knit? Photograph?
Kansas City Irish Fest is supporting a bit of friendly competition this year. The festival is sponsoring Irish soda bread baking, knitting and photography contests for great prizes, as well as bragging rights.
Granting an opportunity for the community
Kansas City Irish Fest is giving back to the community that has done so much to support the festival. Beginning this fall, the fest will award grants to individuals and not-for-profit organizations who are interested in pursuing Irish arts and culture. Applications are available at http://www.kcirishfest.com/.
Enjoy the fest, and who knows maybe you'll see me and my wee little Irish lad there!
Fran White, REALTOR®
Reece and Nichols Residential
816-682-3897
www.kansascity-realestate.net
www.franwhite.reeceandnichols.com
Fran.... I love Irish Festivals and such...gee, maybe it's my excuse to go out and drink and because I am Irish. Around the last 2 weeks prior to St. Patty's day in Philly is a great time and a 2 week party. They have what's called Erin's express that runs busses to and from all Irish bars in Philly. Both Saturday and Sunday, the last 2 weekends prior to the actual day of St. Patty's.
In any case... this looks like fun. Maybe I should mosey on out to KC for some fun. ;o) But I have never heard of Irish soda bread baking? different...
Jeff:
You'd love it !! Even though I'm basically Norwegian, I love a lot of the Irish traditions.
Our wedding bands even came from Dublin! And since my wonderful husband use to be a chef in another life, he can really cook up some good Irish dishes!
WARNING: Don't get a philly cheese steak sandwich at any of the fake places while you are here, you will be really disappointed. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Fran-
It looks like a ton of fun! I've only been to KC once, but I'd love to go back.
Tom:
Kansas City is a fun town, especially in the fall, there are always TONS of things to do. That's not to say that there aren't things to do all year round!
Please do come back sometime and thanks for stopping by.