St. Patrick's Day is great, but getting to be Irish once a year is just not enough. There's something about all that hand-clapping, toe-tapping and shamrocking that makes you want more. That's why more than 7,000 people are expected to attend the ninth annual Weston Irish Festival scheduled to kick off tonight at 5 p.m. at O'Malley's Pub and Courtyard in Weston, Mo.

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday featuring Irish music, piping, dancing and storytelling, along with traditional Irish food and drinks.

"There's always something new," says Bob Reeder, co-founder of the festival and director of the Irish Music Association. "It gets bigger every year."

Although it's hard to define exactly what Irish music is, he says it all has a common thread that gives it a universal appeal.

"It's based in the language of the Irish people, our aspirations, our dreams, and all of what the Irish have endured, good and bad."

Seventeen Irish musicians from across the U.S., Canada and Ireland will perform on an open-air courtyard stage as well as the two indoor pub stages. Headlining this year's festival will be The Young Dubliners, a Celtic rock jam band who sold out more than 40 consecutive gigs at the renowned House of Blues in Los Angeles. They will take the courtyard stage at 9:20 p.m. on Saturday.

Other acts include The Elders, Irish rockers from Kansas City, Connie Dover, an Emmy-nominated singer/composer from Weston, The Mickey Finns and Brigid's Cross, a high-energy trio of fiddle, drums and step-dancing from Cleveland. Rounding out the lineup are several regional acts plus local favorites.

You'll also want to indulge in some authentic Irish dishes as well as traditional festival favorites at the Courtyard food tent. A sample of this year's menu includes Irish stew, Dublin coddle, corned beef sandwiches, bangers, loaded baked potatoes and apple fritters.

"The Dublin coddle is wonderful," Mr. O'Malley says. "We only make it for Irish fest. And it's one of the first things we sell out of."

Of course, to top it all off, there also will be a full complement of draught ale, stout and lager along with other libations.

Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight tonight, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the gate for $8 on Friday and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Children under 14 are admitted free. For more information, call O'Malley's Pub at (816) 640-5235 or visit its Web site at www.westonirish.com.