At a time when everything seems more expensive, the biggest annual get-down in the metro is as cheap as it ever was. "We're really proud about the fact that the
Kansas City Irish Festival is affordable. We haven't raised prices in seven years," says spokeswoman Laren Mahoney. Admission to the three-day celebration at Crown Center Square (2450 Grand), which starts today at 5 p.m., is $10 a day. For that nominal charge, patrons — of whom there were 94,000 in 2008 — will have access to musical performances by the Elders, the Kelihans, Hothouse Flowers and more. Also: a whole stage dedicated to children's entertainers; informational workshops, including a seminar on the ghosts of Ireland; and an exhibit about Irish involvement in Kansas City baseball during the 1880s. See stand-up comedy by Ardal O'Hanlon (Saturday) for an additional $5 in Crown Center's Off Center Theatre. All that plus food and brew aplenty. The Irish Fest runs until 11 tonight and resumes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Early risers can attend Catholic Mass on the festival grounds at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. See
kcirishfest.com for a complete weekend schedule.
Fri., Sept. 4, 5 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., 2009
