I don't know about you, but I always get a little wistful and reflective this time of year. I get a little gassy too, but that's another story. Too many Christmas cookies I guess. But as the year comes to a close, and in this case a whole decade too, I find myself looking back on what's been and and forward to what might be. In the case of Irish Fest for example, I think back to the beginning of this decade. Back in 2000, we were still two fests in parking lots at opposite ends of the summer. The bigger of the two, the Brookside Irish Fest drew about 26,000 in it's best year if memory serves. Now in 2009, the Kansas City Irish Fest is nudging the 100,000 mark. The aughts were very good to Irish Fest.
I also love all those year end best and worst lists that everybody comes up with this time of year. So much so that I want one too and I want you to help me. What was the best thing about Irish Fest this year? What was the worst? What ghost of Irish Fest past should we bring back? What recent addition should we scrap? Let us know. Here's my start:
Best of KCIF 2009:
The big new beautiful Snug.
The video boards at the Boulevard Stage.
The new school-group bartenders.
Trad music lovers' paradise.
Worst of KCIF 2009:
Lack of portapotties in the north end.
Long lines at volunteer check in.
Relentless rain during Friday's set up.
Running out of Stout.
Now what do you say? Let's hear from you. Don't be shy. We can take it.
Your Guide to the 17th Annual Kansas City Irish Fest at Crown Center. www.KCIrishFest.com
About Me
- Danny Regan
- Danny is a founder, past president, and creative director of the Kansas City Irish Fest. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, the greatest city in America. He's authored Tir na Blog since 2006.
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4 comments:
Spot on Regan. You must have cheated off Keli's notes.
McCarthy
DUNK TANK JUST BARELY HRLD A COKE BOTTLE!
Just to be sure it stays on the radar, I'd like to put in another shameless plug for the 'Live Webcast' service y'all had going in 2009. It worked flawlessly all weekend and it was awesome. My wife Martha and I just couldn't be there this year but being able to watch most of the bands 'Live' right here in our living room was the next best thing to 'being there'. Keeping the stationary WebCam focused on the Big-Screen TV for the North-Side stage rather than just pointing it at the stage itself was brilliant. We were able to see all the changing camera shots as they were happening and it was very well done.
I can't address the obvious argument that has probably already arisen regarding 'Why should we show it live? It might discourage people from coming'. That's an inevitable argument when it comes to this 'WebTV' stuff, I suppose... and I have it on good authority that it is also the reason some other festivals that shall remain nameless choose to NOT do it.
All I can say is that I believe I am like most people who appreciated the 'Live' broadcast. If I COULD have been there this year, I WOULD have been there... but for a whole lot of reasons it just became impossible to be there and so the 'Live' WebCast was really, really appreciated.
Did a very FEW people sit at home somewhere and NOT come to the Crown Center because they could be couch potatoes and just watch it on their laptops? Probably. Is that a reason not to do it?... I don't think so. It adds class to your event and puts you on the 'leading edge', IMHO.
Worst for me as Volunteer (besides the painfully clunky check-in process) is showing up for the VERY FIRST SHIFT of the entire weekend for Site Host, and told "there are no XXL Ts left". 2008 and 2009. Danny, take a look at our stout-swilling, potatoe-sucking crowd; believe me, there are lotsa us who wear 2XL!! I dunno why a lousy T motivates me, but you and I both know that it does. PLEASE ORDER MORE THAN ONE.
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