Back in 2009, I went to Ireland to spend a few days in Dublin and a week around the great island’s bed and breakfasts in cute little towns.
It was a great journey!
In fact, it was such a great journey that my travel bug didn’t want to stop when I returned to Ohio…
…so I began coddling it with festivals.
But I had mixed feelings about trying to remember that trip through the Riverfront Irish Festival.
Sure, it had won some awards and it was put together by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, but it was happening at the same location as the Cuyahoga Falls Oktoberfest, where I was pretty disappointed for the lack of German vendors.
Would things be different this time around?
When I arrived, my emotions fluctuated immediately…
…from the O’happiness of Celtic melodies…
…to the McDisgust of gyros and strombolis.
I strolled along Riverfront Square, sighing as I passed a cabbage and noodles booth….
…and only an occasional Irish vendor.
And as I went on…
…I was about to start my own protest about this whole spectacle…
…when I noticed the most wonderful green sign hidden in all that brightly orange.
This vision led me on to many others!
Yes, the further I made my way into the Riverfront Irish Festival…
…although sometimes obstructed by not-so-Irish vendors…
…the more I discovered the music…
…food…
…and even beer that I longed for.
Soon I came across…
…so many vendors with Irish merchandise…
…that there was even an Irish shopping area inside!
All the leprechauns and coats-of-arms reminded me so much of my trip that I wanted to celebrate…
…so I purchased what any Irishman would…
…some tasty InFamous Welsh cookies.
(Well, I didn’t want to get beer…I was driving.)
I headed back to my car with my new purchase…
…chuckling a bit since the children cleanup grew all had to wear orange.