Please go to the Weston Irish Fest, because I can't

I had every intention of going to the Weston Irish Fest this year. Instead I get to stay home for the H1N1 Fest. Instead of bangers and mash, I get chicken noodle soup. Instead of shots of Jameson, I get shots of NyQuil. Instead of pints of Guinness, I get the full rainbow flavors of Gatoraid. You get the idea.

Which really sucks, because the Weston Irish Fest is one of the best fests in the country, and the best fest in the KC area. Centered around O'Malley's Pub, there will be four stages, two in the pub and two in the courtyard. The courtyard is going to feature some of the bigger acts, like Seven Nations and The Elders.  For me the most fun is to be had down in the Dank.  That is the cellar pub, which used to be a lagering cellar back in Weston Brewing's original incarnation in 1842.

It gets crowded, and tight packed, but because you are under ground it stays nice and cool.  The best seats are on the balcony looking down on the stage, though that can make getting drinks a bit of an adventure.  Better to order two drinks ahead.  Of course Bob Reeder is going to be there.  He's opening and closing the Pub Stage Saturday.  I really wanted to show up with my mandolin to see if he really wanted to play Dueling Banjos.  I suck at playing, and would make a total jackass of myself, but I'm guessing Bob would play along for laughs.

So with a sad heart, I'm going back to bed.  I will leave you with an appropriate Limerick.

At Irish Fest, there’s Sean O’Malley
Guzzling Guinness alone in an alley.
How much can he drink
I really can’t think,
And O’Malley, he never keeps tally.

(images courtesy of www.westonirish.com)