No cotton candy at this féile. The Buffalo Irish Festival is in its 26th year, and this one is sure to be the best yet. Sponsored by Guinness Irish Stout, the Buffalo Raceway and the Shannon Pub, the weekend begins on Friday evening with a parade of flag-bearers proudly showing the colors of each of Ireland’s 32 counties. This will be followed by a procession of dancers, musicians and local swells (think of the old neighborhood’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, but in pleasant weather). And for early birds who arrive between 5pm and 6pm on Friday, admission to the fairgrounds is free (same for those who arrive between noon and 1pm on Saturday.) The event’s appeal includes—and transcends—pints of Guinness, stepdancing, bagpipes, corned beef and much more. Musical acts include Seamus Kennedy, whose rapid-fire jokes encourage a rowdy audience, the Glengarry Boys, the Dady Brothers and fresh-faced Celtic quartet Scythian. A bottomless supply of musical entertainment occupies three stages all weekend, along with five Irish dancing groups stepping to the winding tunes of the bagpipe and bodhran. The festival features free parking, but no picnics or coolers will be admitted. The vendors have anything anyone could possibly want. Featured goods and crafts include kilts, sweaters, books, paintings, photography, ceramics and glassware.

Fri 5-11pm, Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-9pm.

Erie County Fairgrounds, 5600 McKinley Parkway. $10 adults, $7 kids and seniors.

(FREE on Fri 5-6pm and Sat 12-1pm))