10 ways to enjoy Milwaukee's Irish Fest this weekend

Milwaukee's Irish Fest has so much going on, not even the legendary Finn MacCool could recite it all. So here are 10 suggestions for enjoying this annual musical and cultural hooley, which takes place Thursday evening through Sunday at Maier Festival Park. 

1. Festival regulars Gaelic Storm (the band seen performing in the movie "Titanic") will play an energetic blend of traditional and original music at 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 10:15 p.m. Saturday. 

2. New to the festival, the TradFest Dublin Showcase will present eight traditionally based Irish music performers during Irish Fest.

3. We Banjo 3, Skerryvore and friends will salute the Irish roots of the Fab Four with "The Beatles – Celtic Style" at 7 p.m. Sunday. 

4. From her roots in traditional Irish fiddling, Eileen Ivers has embraced and incorporated roots music from other cultures into her lively performances. She will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, 10 p.m. Saturday and 5:15 p.m. Sunday. 

5. In the Theatre Pavilion, the Bangor Drama Club of County Down and Milwaukee Irish Arts perform plays by Brian Friel, Sebastian Barry, Geraldine Aron and and Elaine Murphy. 

6. The Arthritis Foundation's 5K Run/Walk to Milwaukee Irish Fest begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the festival's North Gate. Registration and other info: goo.gl/niF4JP.

7. Visiting chef Pádraic Óg Gallagher of Gallagher's Boxty House in Dublin takes second place to no one in his love for the potato. His recipe demonstrations Friday through Sunday will feature several versions of traditional Irish potato pancakes.

Related:Emerald Isle version of potato pancakes coming to Irish Fest

8. Several cultural displays and talks honor Irish and American participation in World War I, including a look at the Battle of Messines (1917). 

9. Meet Irish wolfhounds, Irish red setters, Kerry Blue Terriers and other Irish dog breeds in the Celtic Canine Area. (But please note: Your dog is not allowed on the grounds unless it's a service animal.) 

10. The Liturgy for Peace and Justice, celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Sunday by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Gary, Ind., a West Allis native. Gates open at 8 a.m. The Irish Fest Choir for Peace and Justice begins singing at 9 a.m. People who donate a non-perishable food item before 11 a.m. Sunday will receive free admission to the festival.

IF YOU GO

What: Irish Fest

Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Thursday (preview night), 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

Admission: General admission is $20, $15 for seniors 60 and older, free for children 12 and younger. A two-day pass for Saturday and Sunday is $30 online. Admission Thursday for people 12 and older is $5. 

Info: irishfest.com.