11:01 PM

Irish Fest is open 30 hours over Labor Day weekend. From 5:00 to 11:00 on Friday, from 11:00 to 11:00 Saturday and Sunday. Now we staff people work on the festival all year long. And I know you look forward to it all year long. So thirty hours? After 362 days of waiting, working, anticipating? Please. Not even close to long enough for either of us to enjoy the fruits of all this labor. But we're kind of stuck. Crown Center, wonderful as they are, won't let us party down there all night. And even if they would, the city has these pesky things called "noise permits" and we can't keep bands playing after 11:00. So after we close, there's that dilemma...where we going?

Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub is where. Again this year, Raglan Road is the place - the only place - for the official Kansas City Irish Fest after parties. All three nights, beginning when we end. Live Irish music, great food, no cover, and...brace yourselves for this one: the chance to hang out with genuine Irish Fest staffers. I know I've already talked you into with that last little enticement, but there's more. A free shuttle bus will take you right from the Irish Fest grounds right to Raglan's front door at 14th and Grand.

Come Irish Fest weekend,you'll see signs telling you exactly where to catch the bus and and join the party. Better yet, head there a few times between now and then, you know, just for the practice. We've just 53 days to go.