Where Leprechauns Go in September

In Ireland, autumn is a good time for craic. The term basically means “cracking a joke” and represents the celebratory entertainment and conversation that typically follow a successful harvest season. Kansas City has been craic-ing since 5 p.m. Friday, when the eighth annual Kansas City Irish Festival kicked off at Crown Center (2450 Grand). The third-largest festival of its type in the nation, Kansas City’s event brings nearly 100,000 attendees onto the same acreage for three days for seven stages of music, dancing, comedy and children’s entertainment. Also: food, food, food. Highlights from this year’s lineup: musical acts Pogey, Kila, Screaming Orphans, Red Hot Chilli Pipers (read that closely) and local Celtic rockers the Elders; Irish comedians Dylan Moran, Ian Coppinger and Barry Murphy; plus performances and lessons from renowned Riverdancer Breandán De Gallai. Just as they did Saturday, festivities run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, with a final dose of craic delivered in the form of Boulevard Stage band the Mighty Craic at 10:15 p.m. For a complete weekend schedule or to purchase tickets, see kcirishfest.com.— Lorna Perry

Fri., Sept. 3, 5 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 4, 11 a.m.; Sun., Sept. 5, 11 a.m., 2010