Our super-short summers in these parts are still stupendous  because of all the amazing activities.

For many it’s the State Fair or the various county fairs. Summerfest. Church festivals.

Four family one of the most anticipated and joyous times is Milwaukee Irish Fest.

Kyla dances onstage with her friends from Glencastle Irish Dancers.

And I emcee the Children’s Freckle and Red Hair Contests. Been doing it for more than 30 years.

Irish Fest is simply fantastic.

OK. You sense it, don’t you? A ‘but.’

It’s not that the fest has done anything wrong. I just want more of a good thing.

Irish Fest opens today and runs through Sunday. Let’s examine the schedule keeping in mind I’m the proud father of an Irish dancer.

FRIDAY

Glencastle Irish Dancers

Fri, August 19 04:15 PM – 5:30 PMCiderBoys Stage

Cashel Academy of Irish Dance

Fri, August 19 04:15 PM – 5:30 PM Aer Lingus Stage

Bellator Academy of Irish Dance

Fri, August 19 04:15 PM – 5:30 PM Miller Lite Stage

Milwaukee Academy of Irish Dance and the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company

Fri, August 19 05:45 PM – 6:45 PM Lakefront Brewery Stage

Bellator Academy of Irish Dance

Fri, August 19 06:30 PM – 7:15 PM Cedar Crest Children’s Stage

SATURDAY

Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance

Sat, August 20 01:45 PM – 2:45 PM Aer Lingus Stage

Glencastle Irish Dancers

Sat, August 20 03:00 PM – 4:15 PM Coors Light / Parkview Senior-Living Community Stage

Cashel Academy of Irish Dance

Sat, August 20 02:00 PM – 3:15 PM Miller Lite Stage

Beglan Academy of Irish Dance

Sat, August 20 03:30 PM – 4:30 PM Lakefront Brewery Stage

SUNDAY

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance

Sun, August 21 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Miller Lite Stage

Beglan Academy of Irish Dance

Sun, August 21 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Aer Lingus Stage

McNamara McCarthy School of Irish Dance

Sun, August 21 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Coors Light / Parkview Senior-Living Community Stage

Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance

Sun, August 21 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM CiderBoys Stage

Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance

Sun, August 21 03:15 PM – 4:00 PM Cedar Crest Children’s Stage

If you look closely you’ll notice a lot of Irish dance groups are performing at the very same time, or close to it.

So, on Friday, let’s say I go to watch daughter Kyla dance with Glencastle at 4:15 but also want to take in the Cashel Academy kids. Can’t. They also dance at 4:15.

Maybe this type of scheduling was unavoidable. I still love ya, but unfortunately since the dance groups aren’t staggered patrons are deprived opportunities of seeing more of these wonderful youngsters in action.

A reliable source tells me some Irish Fest officials don’t consider the dance groups to be true ‘entertainers’ per se. Gosh I hope that’s not true.

The dancers work, prepare, rehearse, and perform  very hard. Like any sport there’s risk of pain and injury. They are never deterred. And crowds, yes crowds, love them.

Heading to Irish Fest this weekend? Make sure you check them out. You will not be disappointed.