Excelsior Springs Irish Festival Returns October 4–5

Excelsior Springs will once again celebrate Irish culture this fall as the Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery host the second annual Excelsior Springs Irish Festival. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, from 1 to 7 p.m., and Sunday, October 5, from 1 to 6 p.m., at Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery, just minutes from the city’s historic downtown.

Following the success of its inaugural year in 2024, organizers expect even larger crowds to gather for two days of music, food, and family fun. The festival will feature continuous live performances from both Irish and regional entertainers. Saturday’s lineup includes Eddie Delahunt, Stolen Apples, The Canterberries, and the O’Riada Manning School of Irish Dance. On Sunday, audiences can enjoy the St. Andrew Bag Pipers and Dancers, And So It Goes, Biscuit Boys, and the Kian Bryne Band.

Beyond the stage, the festival will offer a range of attractions. Visitors can sample culinary favorites, enjoy beer tents featuring both local and Irish-style brews, and taste wine produced at Shamrock Hills. Yard games and other family-friendly activities will be available, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge.

General admission is $20 per day, with a discounted $30 two-day pass available through October 3. Tickets at the gate will remain $20 per day.

Parking will be available at both Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery and The Shamrock Ranch, located at 12300 Shoemaker Road in Excelsior Springs.

The festival is presented through a collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce, Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery, Itchin’ 2 Go Travel and Tours, The Shamrock Ranch, Gann Asphalt & Concrete, American Legacy Construction, and the Excelsior Citizen. Organizers say the event highlights community pride and cultural celebration while also supporting local businesses and tourism.

Additional details, including a full entertainment schedule and tickets, can be found HERE.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Two Dead in Excelsior Springs House Explosion

***UPDATE 08/26/24***

The deceased victims in this incident have been identified as 70-year-old Oliver W. Campbell and 65-year-old Katherine A. Campbell. Both lived at the house at 14406 Kimberly Dr.

The Sheriff’s Office recieved notification from the Missouri State Fire Marshall about the explosion that stated, “Because of the force of the explosion and extent of structural damage, no cause could be identified as to the source of the gas leak or the ignition source. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety classified the explosion as undetermined.”

***

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office located two bodies in the rubble of a home that exploded in the early morning hours of Friday, August 23, in rural Excelsior Springs. Investigators believe they have recovered the bodies of the residents of the home.

The blast could be felt and seen for many miles and blew open the doors of neighbors’ houses.

The Sheriff’s Office started receiving calls at 4:42 am, about a house that exploded in the 14400 block of Kimberly Drive. When deputies arrived on scene, they found the house was completely destroyed, and a fire was burning. The blast could be felt and seen for many miles and blew open the doors of neighbors’ houses.

Investigators have found no evidence of foul play. The Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office is working to determine the cause of the explosion. Representatives from the Missouri Propane Safety Commission were also on scene.

No neighbors were hurt, though some reported damage to their homes.

The Medical Examiner responded to the scene, and the Sheriff’s Office will share the names of the deceased once their identities have been confirmed and next-of-kin notification is complete.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.