Go ahead, be an Italian this weekend!

They say that on St. Patrick’s Day in Kansas City, everyone is Irish for at least a day. The planners of the annual Festa Italiana, the three-day “celebration of Italian tradition and Italian-American culture” would prefer all Kansas Citians be Italian for the whole damn weekend.

This festival was held, for many years, at Crown Center, but, several years ago, moved out to the northland to the park-like center of the Zona Rosa Shopping Center. That’s where the festivities will take place tonight, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free each day and the event conclude with a fireworks display tonight and tomorrow at 9:45 p.m.

Tomorrow, at 11 a.m., chef Jasper Mirabile, Jr. will host a live broadcast of his KCMO-AM radio show, Live from Jasper’s Kitchen from the festival site. Jasper says his guest line-up tomorrow includes Mark Prece, executive chef of the Italian-American Pasta Company, a phone interview with noted restaurant critic Alan Richman, and cooking demonstrations by his guest chefs. Mirabile, an Italian-American, is excited about being right in the middle of all the festival activities — which include many food booths, a beer garden, and a variety show. “The Festa Italiana has been such a tradition in Kansas City, we wanted to be part of it. Besides, I’m on a search for the best cannoli in the city. Maybe I’ll find it there.”