Mount Prospect Irish Fest features goods and music Friday and Saturday

Mount Prospect Irish Fest is celebrating its fifth anniversary by expanding into a two-day festival.

The event, sponsored by the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, will feature Irish food, beverages and goods, as well as Irish music from some of Chicago's hottest Celtic musicians performed in a giant heated tent.

The event will run from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 29, and from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in the Chase Bank parking lot at the corner of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, one block north of Northwest Highway, one block east of Elmhurst Road and one block from the Mount Prospect Metra stop. Admission is free and free parking is available just across the street in the village hall parking deck.

Friday night entertainment includes They Might Be Irish at 5:30 p.m. and The Larkin and Moran Brothers at 8:30 p.m., as well as an appearance by The Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, Chicago Police Department.

Saturday entertainment includes the Tully, the Sullivan and the Trinity Irish Dancers between 1 and 2:30 p.m., The Dooley Brothers at 3 p.m., Mulligan Stew at 5:30 p.m. and They Might Be Irish at 8 p.m.

Food vendors include Mount Prospect Firefighter's Union Local 4119 with hamburgers and hot dogs, Paddy's Comeback Inn with fish and chips and Harrington's authentic corned beef, and the Chamber of Commerce selling Guinness, Harp and other beverages.

Irish vendors include Paddy's on the Square from Long Grove, selling Irish items including music, jewelry, pottery and sweaters; Galway Bakers with breads, scones, mini tea cakes, shortbreads, cookies and brownies; Completely Nuts with warm roasted nuts; and the Mount Prospect Junior Women's Club selling beads, hats, lighted ice cubes and green party gear.