The Parade And Irish Fest

Last Friday at the St. Patrick's Day Parade kick-off luncheon, the Kansas City Irish Fest made a donation to our big sister Irish event, the St. Patrick's Day parade. We gave them a big check with a big number on it, which is all well and good.

What we also gave them, and will again here, is our sincere thanks. Because I'm not overstating things to say that without the parade, Irish Fest as we know it now wouldn't exist.

Those not aware of all the details of the birth of Irish Fest may not know the debt we owe the Parade People. Back in those dark pre-Fest days of the late '90s, an idea was hatched for a couple little neighborhood festivals in Kansas City's traditional Celtic enclaves, Westport and Brookside. The events were modest, but the dreams were big. What was needed to get those dreams off the ground wasn't just the idea, the enthusiasm, or the inspiration. We had lots of those things. It was money. The parade provided money and the path to more money by loaning us, a bunch of nobodies, their reputation, prestige and community standing. By associating and partnering with the mighty parade, we were able to get the attention of some of the sponsors and individuals in town who can make small events into big ones. Which is, of course what happened. Dreams come true.

So again, to our friends at The Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, who are all way too busy this week to read this I bet, our warm and heartfelt thanks. Thanks for helping us take those important baby steps back in 1999 in Brookside and Westport. Thanks for all the years of friendship and partnership since in the years since. And thanks for the great event that we'll all enjoy so much this coming Saturday.

Cheers, my friends.