KC Irish Fest

TITLE: HERE WE GO AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAINworse location ever i dont care what anyone says unless you live next door.felt like you could get robbed any momentparking stinks35$ just to have the right to buy more stuff and then parking feeI recorded the music and listened to it from every year past and its the exact same groups exact same music from all years past. no matter the location. music was the exact same songs and same groups playing the same old songs over and over and over again..horrible food was the same over cooked food and sausage and beer junk you get every yearits just an "excuse festival" excuse to get drunk and act stupid, festival to spill your drinks all over everyone and get drunk.

Outdoor Entertainment Festival all things Irish! The fiddle is playing (and the bagpipes if you're lucky) and the beer is flowing (or the Jameson if you're hardcore) and the sausages are grilling...did I mention it's also family friendly? Especially during the daytime on Saturday or Sunday, but even on a Friday night, no one was rowdy or rude, and kids seemed to be dancing along to the band excited to be up past their bedtime. There's also a kids area dedicated to crafts and other fun activities. The shopping booths and the merch are also enjoyable to meander through and do some impromptu shopping. Beers aren't exorbitantly expensive, being $8.50 for a boulevard, which I don't mind paying. Once it gets to be over $10 per beer at any concert or event, that's when I become a little weary. The music after dark at the boulevard stage provides awesome vibes to enjoy on one of the last fleetings nights of summer, kick off your shoes put on your kilts, and enjoy! Also, speaking for Friday evening, it wasn't too crowded, which made for an enjoyable experience. It's never fun to feel like you're packed like sardines into fair or festival grounds. Recommend attending the KC Irish Fest event if it's not your culture (like me) because the energy is enigmatic and there's so much to do, but it's not overwhelming.

2nd time I have been to Irish Fest. A lot of great vendors, entertainment, food trucks and beverage stations. I found several good buys from the local vendors.

I've actually gone here a couple of times: 2018 and 2022. They are still recovering from Covid, in that they're still not up to the level of 2018, but it's still a fun time.First things first, having skimmed the other reviews. If you're not open to Irish music, there's no reason to come to this. Yes, there are some food trucks, some cultural events, pricey Irish souvenirs, whiskey tastings (for an additional cost), but the reason to pay to attend is 100% the music.If you're native to KC, you can probably figure out the parking situation, but for an out of towner, they could have given more specific information on their website. It doesn't help that it felt like 90% of the roads in the area were under construction. I parked on the street one night, crown center the next, and an outdoor lot the final night. What I like most about this is roaming between the 3 stages, catching a bit of this act, a bit of the next. Most bands play multiple times each weekend, and by the last day, you'll see a number of them randomly pop up to play a song or two together.I will also say the early in the day is much more enjoyable. Although the biggest acts perform at night, it gets entirely too crowded. And even if you camp out a spot, people are really bad about plopping right into your line of site at the last minute. That's my one annoyance. But if you can get past all that, this is a great event.

Set in a perfect location; incorporating Crown Center, Washington Park and closing down Pershing and Grand Ave to allow the Kansas City skyline and the newly renovated Western Auto sign to be a glorious backdrop for what has become maybe KC's most popular festival.This was my 1st visit to The KC Irish Fest, but I already know that it will become a yearly tradition for myself. I was fortunate enough the see KC's preeminent Celtic band and traveling ambassadors - The Elders in one of their farewell shows before they call it a career at the end of the year. Sitting on a rock ledge, knocking back a few Guinness's while swaying and cheering to the Elders with your best friend is truly a night to be remembered. Getting up close to the stage for some of the Red Hot Chili Pipers was almost as fun as The Elders. People watching, meandering though the art and merchandise shops on a beautiful late summer evening with a Guinness in hand - perfect. A great festival for a great city!

Kansas City Irish Fest is a blast for kids and adults. From a kids area to Whisky tasting. Thanks to Yelp, I attended my first Irish Fest on Friday night.Irish Fest is in Washington Park next to Crown Center and across the street from Union Station. There was an abundance of food truck options all with an Irish theme of course. We split a few things so we could try multiple items. The meat pies are a win as well as the Scottish egg which I had never had before. Whisky everywhere, but there was also lemonade, soda, and water. But Whisky everywhere. LOLThere was like 7 stages and the music was amazingly good. The weather cooperated to Friday evening and it was perfect. What a great night to sit back and listen to music in the park. There was a couple different shopping areas. A art show type area in Washington Park that had many vendors with an array of different types of art. It was fascinating walking through and looking at all of the art. The other area was in a large tent where you could look up your family coat of arms and many other vendors with a variety of items.There was a children's area and a children's stage for the youngsters.We really enjoyed the evening and I'm sure it will be an annual event.

I volunteered at and thus attended my first KC Irish Fest this weekend, thanks to Yelp. The volunteering park was smooth and uneventful. You check in, get a t-shirt to put on and are directed to your area. I helped stock ice and beverages to the stalls for 4 hours. You also receive a complementary ticket for this service.Friend and I then wandered around to enjoy the evening. Heard some great bands - shout out to Solas! Had some very good fish and chips from O'Dowds, although the woman working the window was a little curt. I really enjoyed my specialty coffee cocktail at the Jameson booth.Overall, this is a fabulous event, but pricey. I've never gone before because $10 admission is a lot when you have to pay $2 for waters and sodas and $6-$10 for alcoholic drinks. The food was $8 and was one piece of fish and some fries. I would volunteer again, but perhaps not pay full price. Special tip - the streetcar made getting to and from ridiculously easy.

What a wonderful way to spend the evening! Couldn't have worked out better. The corned beef from O'Dowd's is very good at a reasonable price, and the Scimeca's Cherry Limeade taps all the right keys - ask for it sweetened a bit. So many stages, and so well planned out. From one band to another, then onto the O'Riada dance academy for a rousing performance by those talented young girls and boys.But the conclusion at the Boulevard Stage with the Western Auto sign as a backdrop really sealed the evening. We Banjo 3 simply killed it - the guy in the red pants was phenomenal! The Young Dubliners did such a wonderful job, but The Elders closed the evening with such a flurry of craft and community. I'd love to see their last show tomorrow or Sunday - I don't know when. But otherwise, what a great community event with exceptional vendors and musical talent. I hope the rain holds out during the moments that count the most. Try the foot long corn dog...

The Irish Fest music NEVER disappoints! It's literally the most fantastic sound to come out of a human soul ever. If you haven't heard the Elders band - you probably are not alive yet - go change that because they retire this year!!

Several years ago, upon finding a facebook notice that it was happening, my friend and I stumbled into an awesome way to spend a Saturday. And then stumbled back for the next day. Since then, barring COVID's shutdown, we have attended KC Irish fest every year. There are varying levels of ITM (Irish Traditional Music) from more traditional takes like Cassie and Maggie, or a previous year Socks in the Frying Pan all the way to mixes of rock sound with ITM to we'll put on a kilt and add some Irish flair to a little rock and bluegrass.For those who just aren't into music, there is also a nice collection of arts and crafts tents, more alcohol vendors than you can shake a stick at, food trucks, there is usually a comedy slot, and Irish culture events as well. And full Irish breakfast for those who desire it and can. There are many levels to engage with this event as, from a fun time to get together with friends and drink and channel your inner Dionysus, to hearing, learning, and listening to a ton of Irish Music! Choose whatever works for you. And have a blast!