Facts

Yes, several actually. And you won’t want to miss them.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1,  Raglan Road Irish Restaurant and Pub is kicking off the weekend early with a special Irish Fest edition of their signature dinners with Chef Kevin Dundon. At 7pm that night try “A Taste of Ireland with Kevin”. The dinner is $50 per person and will sell out, so don’t snooze. Reservations required, contact Bethany at the pub: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Irish Dancer Bridgid Driscoll will perform at the pub that nigh as well, from 7 to 9pm along with live Irish music.

On Thursday, Sept. 2, Kelly’s Westport Inn will host the official KC Irish Fest kick off party. KCIF entertainers Evans and Doherty will perform, and there will be special prices on fine Boulevard beers and some Irish Fest giveways. You’ll want to be there.

On Friday – Sunday nights, Sept. 3rd, 4th and 5th Raglan Road will host the Kansas City Irish Fest Official After Parties. When the music stops playing at 11pm at Crown Center, take one of the shuttles that Raglan provides in front of the Westin Crown Center straight to Raglan Road. You’ll want to be there as many of the KCIF performers will hop on stage to continue the party.

During the fest
We’re delighted to have Irish Dance Superstar, Breandán De Gallaí, participating in this year’s festival. This former Principal Dancer turned Dance Director for Riverdance is offering Irish Dance Classes from beginners to advance levels during the festival. This guy has an Irish dance resume as long as your arm – if you’re interested in Irish dancing, no matter your age or experience level, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Prices range from $20-50 and can be purchased online at https://www.ezticketlive.com/checkout/event_view.asp?id=71. More information about Breandan can be found at http://www.irishdance13.com/breandan.html.

Gaelic Storm
Kansas City Irish Fest and SMA present Gaelic Storm, Oct. 28 at the Uptown Theater. Ticket information coming soon.

Bring your favorite blanket and/or a small umbrella.

Sorry to say, no picnic baskets, outside coolers or outside food or drinks are allowed to be brought in to the festival grounds.

We'll have plenty to eat and drink at the fest, promise.

While designated handicap parking spaces are available on levels 2A and 3A of the Crown Center Shops parking garage, we would like to get you as close to the festival grounds as possible. We encourage guests requiring wheelchair access to park in the garage directly underneath the festival grounds, at Pershing and McGee. You can enter the garage from either from the McGee street entrance on the North, or the Grand street entrance to the South.

Our festival takes place on two different levels, so you’ll need to utilize the garage elevators or our ramp to move between levels. Volunteer Site Hosts will be on hand to help carry strollers up the stairs. We also have a ramp for strollers and wheelchair users to get between levels. Look for special handicapped parking spaces on the following levels to get you closer to the parts of the festival you want the most:

Gold Level = Street level, Boulevard Stage, craft vendors, food vendors, beverage tents, heritage area and stage, children's area and stage, and more.
Blue Level = Terrace Stage, beverage tents, Irish Fest merchandise, and more.
Oversized Vans (higher than 6 feet 5 inches)

All underground garages have a max height of 6’5” so if you have an oversized van, you’re not going to fit. We have secured a limited number of slots in front of the American Restaurant entrance, where the valet parking is situated. Look for the specific handicap parking signs within the turnaround. These slots are available on a first come, first served basis; and only to oversized vans that have handicapped license plates or hanging state-issued handicap tags. If the lot is full, please utilize some of the above ground parking located further south on Grand.

You’re not cheap, you’re thrifty and that’s a fine quality. Yes , you can get in free. If you’re under 12 years old, OR if you volunteer to work at the festival - OR if you stay in one of our two official Irish Fest hotels, at the special Irish Fest rates.

Friday, September 3th from 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, September 4th from 11:00am to 11:00pm
Sunday September 5th from 11:00am to 11:00pm

Absolutely. We’d never ask you to sit on the ground, unless you really wanted to.

$15 per day at the gate
$10 in advance at Hy-vee stores or online
$25 weekend rate in advance

Friday – buy one get one free with advance purchase online Children 12 & under are free! Anyway you look at it, it’s a small price to pay for all that entertainment and fun.

Yes, as well as paying with cash or charge at the gate on the day, tickets will be available at metro-area Hy-Vee Stores, Boulevard Brewing Company, Browne’s Irish Market, Celtic Ranch, Crown Center, Doherty and Sullivan’s, Kelly’s Westport Inn and Sheehan’s Irish Imports.

Well, we hope they are. And if not, please let us know who you’d like to see at future Irish Fests. But trust us, we’ve got plenty of great performers lined up. Maybe your new favorite!

At Hallmark’s beautiful Crown Center Square , just South of downtown Kansas City, Missouri - at 25th and Grand.

The 2010 Kansas City Irish Fest will run on Labor Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 3, 4 and 5.

Irish Fest features more than 30 world class acts. There is a Heritage tent & stage for music and dance performances, demonstrations and readings, a children’s stage, and a comedy stage for those looking for a laugh. See the Entertainment Page of the Website for details of performers and check out the full schedule to see when your favorite band is playing.