Huge tent welcomes music fest to Arlington Heights

Yes, it's a very large tent. And it's drawn quite a bit of attention in downtown Arlington Heights. Mayor Arlene Mulder even mentioned it at a village board meeting.

The tent at Campbell Street and Highland Avenue will hold 3,000 people, said Derek Hanley, owner of Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub. The company is hosting a three-day music festival beginning St. Patrick's Day to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The tent went up early in March because a lot of setup work needed to be done inside and to provide some advance advertising for the fest, said Hanley.

The festival is 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17; 4-11:30 p.m. Friday, March 18; and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Admission tickets range from $40 for Thursday to $50 for Saturday.

Thursday's all-Irish groups include Scythian and the Shannon Rovers. Friday it's rock with Sister Hazel and Ides of March. And Saturday's bands include .38 Special and American English.

The tent is very close to the Arlington Heights Metra station.

For information visit peggykinnanes.com.