‘The Elders’ Return to Help Irish Fest Celebrate 20th Year Downtown

Irish Fest is returning this Labor Day weekend to Crown Center and to help celebrate its 20th year downtown, crowd-favorite The Elders will be coming out of retirement to perform.

“The Elders are sure to make 2022 Irish Fest one of their most memorable shows, as they headlined every KC Irish Fest since the fest’s founding in 2003 – 2017 when they retired,” according to a press release.

The three-day festival, one of the largest Irish celebrations in the country, begins Friday from 5- to 11 p.m., and continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

A more robust line-up of international bands is scheduled this year. Irish Fest was canceled in 2020 because of Covid, and many Irish bands couldn’t make it to last year’s event because of continuing travel bans.

Gaelic Storm is among the popular bands scheduled for Irish Fest. (Photo courtesy Irish Fest)

“Festival favorites We Banjo 3 will return and headline all three nights,” according to the release. “Another long time favorite will include Gaelic Storm who will headline Friday evening.”

Other notables include The Narrowbacks, Shane Hennessy, Byrne and Kelly, and making their first KC appearance, Aoife Scott and The Friel Sisters, described as a “great up and coming female acts out of Ireland.”

Local favorites like Carswell and Hope, Ashley Davis, Eddie Delahunt & Friends, Flannigan’s Right Hook, St. Andrews Pipes and Drums, Bob Reeder and Mr. Sticky Feet aka Jim Cosgrove will also appear.

A complete list of performers and more information about the event and its other activities can be found here.

Daily admission for adults is $30 if purchased by today (Sept. 1) or $35 at the festival gate. Adult weekend passes for all three days are $70. Single-day tickets for children three- to 12 years-old are $8, kids under three get in free.

Irish Fest will be celebrating its 20th year in downtown. (Photo courtesy Irish Fest)