Goodbye to Irish Fest 2010...

I always hate to go to Crown Center after the Festival, I think something is wrong without all the tents and the kids and the good times.   It was that way this morning, except many of the tents were still there which made it like a ghost Irish Fest.   How can one simple cow say thanks to so many people?   Well I am going to try...

Thanks to Cristo Rey High School and Ms Bridget McGilley- they hung in with us for all of the Fest, they were polite to the adults and fun with the kids, could we have asked for anything else?  No, they were found at the Fest all three days and couldn't have been nicer.

Thanks to St Thomas Aquinas Rugby Team - what a fun group of people.  They gave us the perfect start on Sunday.    Have the VERY Best Time in Ireland.

I have a group of volunteers that have stuck with me over the years of my sister cows that came before me.  Young ladies, you know who you are, and you are absolutely appreciated for your help and smiles with our guests.  Oh, what the hec, I'll start naming them and if I forget any of you returning life savers, let me know, my head is a little foggy today.   Rose, Dawn, Theresa and Alia, Kim, and I know I am missing some, so send me a note.  

Carolyn and Anna - Every year Anna waits patiently while Mom, Carolyn work for 10 - 20 hours a day on Friday and Saturday, so she can attend Irish Fest with her Mom on Sunday.  Carolyn is one of the reasons why I can walk away from the tent with the knowledge all our guests are in very good hands.

We had some new volunteers from Olathe East under the teacher sponsor Nicole Sullivan (and yes, we are related), all of the team were awesome, but Sydney and Devon were outstanding.  Sydney even got lost getting home one night to south JOCO, but oh my were they awesome help.

Thanks to the Bishop Ward Basketball Team, and were they great!  And another fun group.  They even had a couple stray football players helping them, like Alex.  Leave it to the guys to have fun with the kids on the Moonwalks.

My daughters, Megan and Julie, and sons Alex and Bill have been working on Irish Fest for over a month, and were there helping with the prep work all the way.

Fellow Staffers,  Julie, Jeremy, Mackenzie, and Kathleen enabled crafts, moonwalks and inflatables and the main tent in that order.  Artrageous is one of the Children's Area sponsors and Julie's company.   Kathleen plans and sings a beautiful Irish Fest Mass, but doesn't miss a beat for long days both Saturday and Sunday.  Jeremy was walking to each inflatable every few minutes helping the volunteers and making sure our guests were having fun and stayed safe.  Mackenzie has been with Irish Fest since she was a little girl, and is coming into her own as a staple part of the Irish Fest Children's management team.

The Kansas City Irish Fest Kid's Club just out did themselves this year.   Maddie, Maura, Michael, Q, Mikayla, Jake, and Joseph helped out on the inflatables, and the report from Jeremy, is that they were awesome.  And thanks to the parents that help made this happen.

I have had a family of Aylward's and Ismert's who have been with me since year one at Crown Center, another group of kids I have seen grow up.   They sat for hours and hours and gave tattoos to everyone.  They are friendly, they are cute, they are awesome...Anna has lead the way, and I am so glad...how many cousins and siblings do you have?   We have another group growing up with us!

Jack, our stage manager on Friday and Saturday was awesome helping the entertainment entertain the kids and not worry about picky 'stuff'.

 Kelsey and Colleen  from the Kid's Club did everything to help everyone.  Kelsey we were proud of you at the Dance Competition.    Kelsey could be found at Bingo or the Wackalaylee or helping someone out with a prize.  Colleen had a busy competition as well, but also performed this year, another proud moment for me. 

Cassie helped Julie in Artragesous, and single handedly took over ballooons when there wasn't enough volunteer help.

Let's talk about the Mersman Family.   They were found in the main Children's tent, all weekend long, and our boss, 8 year old Kate kept the flow,  kept the fun and kept working when the rest of us thought we might sit and rest, she kept us jumping.  Kate is a member of the Kid's club, and she came into her own at this Fest.  She was at the Fest from sunup to sundown and was fun,  and had all of us laughing.    SPECIAL Thanks to Brett, Kate and Kathleen.

Now, I need to thank all the volunteers who helped during the weekend with the Children's Area, there are many of you to thank and every single contribution makes such a big difference in one of our guests' smiles!  Many, many thanks especially understanding we were short-handed and all of you jumped in and simply worked and helped, and kept a bottle of water in your hand!   THANKS SO MUCH!