Milwaukee Day 3

A long day of beautiful weather, save a 5 minute sprinkle early on. The KC Irish Fest Shamrocker tent served dozens and dozens of would-be rock stars and I think has been a real hit up here. We'll be back at it for part of today's festivities before heading out to catch an evening flight home.

Early in the day after getting Tommy up and running, I attended the annual lunch held by our gracious Milwaukee hosts for all the visiting representatives of other Irish Fests across the country. Tommy compared the scene to something out of the Godfather, with all the heads of the "families" converging. Fortunately to my knowledge no fest organizer has had another one whacked as yet. But there's still today I guess. Our main topic of conversation at the lunch (also attended by Irish Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív) was the upcoming conferences of festival planners. Held every year and a half–the last one being in Kansas City–this November's edition will take place in the west of Ireland. Early planning reports sound like it will be another great event.

After closing up shop last night Tommy and I caught music by the Young Dubs, Slide, La Bottine Souriante and Different Drums of Ireland, each in small amounts before, exhausted, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for one more day of fun and shamrockery.

We've had a great time up here, Tom and I, but are eager to get home and get back to planning the next great event on the Irish calendar, the Kansas City Irish Fest. Just 12 days to go! Sincere thanks to Joe, Ed, Chuck, Jane, Colleen and all our friends in Milwaukee for having us. It's always a pleasure, always informative, always a bit humbling to attend this great event on the shores of Lake Michigan, today completing their 30th year.