If it's anything we appreciate here in Minnesota it's gorgeous weather, and free shit. So today was the culmination of both things. The Irish Fair of Minnesota is the largest free Irish fair in the country. It was held on Harriet Island in St. Paul for a beautiful three days. My friend and I went on Sunday. We parked a mile or so away ($5 - another good deal) and walked, delightful. There is an area set aside for the marketplace which is full of local, national and I imagine, but didn't confirm, international vendors selling kilts (maybe next time), soccer jerseys, scarves, music and jewelry; there are food vendors, local pubs and Irish/Celtic clubs providing beer, lemonade, fish & chips etc.; and various music stages, dancing stages, activities for kids; and in the cultural building they had an exhibit dedicated to the centenary of the 1916 Easter Uprising in Dublin. There was even a hurling demonstration, kind of like field hockey meets lacrosse meets make up your own rules. It was really a gorgeous day along the Mississippi, it was free to get in, good music. What more could you ask for? I'll do something similar in a few weeks at the State Fair, and I can only hope for such great weather and to get out with only spending thirty dollars (food, etc. - scones and whiskey cake). We also got to practice our Irish brogues. We were very convincing. Here are some pictures of my afternoon out.
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| The mighty Mississippi, St. Paul |
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| My kind of race, the Zero K |
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| Exhibit for Easter Uprising 1916 (not sure, jail cell?) |
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| Hurling demonstration |
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| Brian Boru Irish Piping Band marching in |
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| What a treat - for me |
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