If you’re looking to celebrate Celtic culture in Cowtown, next week’s Irish Fest at Crown Center will be ground zero for plenty of Irish shenanigans. With over 30 bands on multiple stages, heritage workshops and displays, comedy, genealogy, a massive children’s area, and so much more, there is no better way to celebrate the pride of the Irish.
We peppered Kansas City Irish Fest Board president Sarah Walsh with our quirky “By The Numbers” query. The one question we forgot to ask her? “How many bowls of Lucky Charms have you consumed in your lifetime?” Oops.
Year Irish Fest Started: 2003
Number of attendees on average each year: 80,000 “It’s one of the top five largest fests in the country.”
Brands of whiskeys to taste at the festival: 20
Number of kegs tapped at Kansas City Irish Fest in 2018: 573 “That’s 94,545 beers! And this year patrons will also be able to purchase Boulevard Brewing Company canned beers and Fling Canned Cocktails at the new can bar.”
Number of food vendors: More than 20 different food vendors will be at Irish Fest— “serving up everything from bangers and mash to corned beef and cabbage to shepard’s pie and more.”
Performers at Irish Fest: Over 300 musicians, dancers, story tellers, comedians, and folklorists will perform on the ten different stages throughout the festival grounds.
Number of Irish dancers scheduled to perform this year: About 100 dancers will perform on the stages at Irish Fest. “An additional 500 dancers from around the country will come in to participate at KC Feis—an Irish dance competition that takes place at the Weston Hotel ballrooms on Saturday, August 31.”
Number of volunteers: 1,375 volunteers! “Plus, 162 staff and committee members, 22 advisory board members and 11 board members that make the festival possible each year.”
Number of states that attendees were from at the 2018 festival: 41
Number of merchants selling their Irish wares: 54 different vendors will sell everything from Irish apparel and jewelry to paintings and pottery throughout the festival grounds.