But largest is not only defined by the amount of food and beverages served. The family-owned restaurant and pub expands its hospitality outside of its doors by taking over two parking lots with a 9,000 square foot, 29 foot tall, heated tent. Staffing is ramped up to over 50 servers, waitresses and Leprechauns.
Speaking of Leprechauns, Kelly's St. Patrick's Day party will be featuring, once again, the crowd pleasing Skydiving Leprechauns. Working with the Quad City Skydiving Center, in Geneseo, Kelly's will be the team's St. Pat's Day landing zone again for the 6th year, as up to 25 trained skydivers jump from 5,000 feet dressed as Leprechauns and make a dramatic from-the-air entrance amidst the cheering crowd.
Owner Dan Kelly states, "Planning for this event began last year, shortly after our sixth annual bash. It is very fulfilling to see all the families and friends that turn out. Old friends re-connect at this event all the time and the party atmosphere can't be beat."
The celebration is not complete without live entertainment and on March 12th the Kelly's tent will be alive with the sounds of everything from roving bagpipers to the heel clicking of the Mulane Healy O'Brien Irish Dancers. There will be something for everyone's musical tastes with a wide variety of live rock bands, playing originals and covers from the 70's to today. Complete line-up below.
The Kelly's St. Patrick's Day party is a family affair, with a magician, a juggler, balloons for the kids (and events and attractions still being added). The Mulane Healy O'Brien Irish Dancers are always a thrill for families with children and the afternoonn music line-up features the Myers Brothers Band, middle-schoolers from St. Paul's Catholic School in Davenport.
The event has consistently been growing its audience since 2005 and Kelly's owner Dan Kelly says he is expecting more than 10,000 attendees. There is no fee for admittance, with plenty of parking on 52nd St., as well as in lots across 53rd Ave. Says Kelly, "We are seeing folks coming in from Des Moines, Dubuque and Iowa City. It's become a regional draw to the Quad Cities."
Live Music Line-Up on the River Cities' Reader Stage:
Like they say: "Kelly's IS St' Patrick's Day!"
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