IRISH EYES

St. Paddy’s Day may be 16 days away, but you can pretend you’re in Ireland without leaving Dallas this weekend at the North Texas Irish Festival March 3-5 at Fair Park.

The NTIF is the 2nd largest event at Fair Park in Dallas after the State Fair of Texas and one of the largest Irish festivals in the country. (I think Chicago’s may be a bit larger and loonier, when they dye the Chicago River green and drink green beer. I have lived through many a St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago — a wee worse for the wear!)…

Last March, the Emerald Isle fair drew more than 37,000. This year marks the 24th anniversary, and more than 40,000 are expected.

The theme: “The Heirs of Erin” - celebrating generations of Irish tradition through music and dance… Complete details are available at www.ntf.org. Having been raised in Chicago, I LOVE (and miss) ethnic celebrations — viva the Greek Food Festival, and now this!