How to see a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Artist for $10
This marks the ten-year anniversary of Kansas City’s Irish Fest, and the town has worked hard to make this weekend’s event the biggest ever. Still, I was surprised but excited when my wife said that the Red Hot Chili Peppers would be appearing. Having just been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Fest tickets costing only $10, the city would be shelling out a good chunk of change to bring the band in for a concert. After a look at the event schedule in the paper, my wife asked the kids and me if we wanted to go. Well, yeah!
My youngest brought his girlfriend, and five of us piled into the car and headed downtown. It was going to be hot at the outdoor main stage, but it was a summer festival, so we were ready for it in our Irish green and Notre Dame gear, just to remind the locals here of the Fightin’ Irish and their big win over Navy the day before. The line for parking was long, so I dropped everyone off at the edge of downtown where streets had been closed for the Fest, and I drove the four blocks to the event lot and ditched the car. I walked back quickly, thinking I was just going to make it just as The Peppers would hit the stage. As I got close, I heard bagpipes and slowed down, feeling good the penultimate act was still on stage, and looked around for my crew. After a few texts, I saw them on the edge of the crowd, and wormed my way toward them.
They gave me a weird look as I joined them, and then burst out laughing. My youngest handed me the festival brochure they had picked up at the turnstiles, and pointed at the 2pm act. The Red Hot Chili PIPERS. Bullocks! We listened for a few moments in stunned silence, but when the six lads in kilts broke into a bagpipe-infused U2 number, we gave it up in search of corned beef and Guinness. What were Scottish dudes doing at an Irish Fest anyway?!
berowne.com 
September 3, 2012 at 7:17 pm
That is an awesome story! For what is worth, you would have enjoyed the “Peppers” had you seen them !