Entertainment
Irishfest opens for 17th year at La Crosse festgrounds
La Crosse’s Oktoberfest grounds go Irish for this weekend. Crowds gathered there Friday afternoon for the start of Irishfest, as community leaders spoke and a bagpipe band entered the front gate during the opening ceremony.
This is the 17th year of the local festival, which draws big-name Irish entertainers who also perform at other regional festivals during August. Friday’s headline act is Gaelic Storm, performing at 10 o’clock.
Saturday’s schedule includes a new feature for Irishfest, a tug-of-war competition. The United States Tug-of-War Association will have contests throughout the day on Saturday.
The Saturday events also include a 5K run-walk, and a mashed potato eating contest at the southside festgrounds.