Scene from the North Texas Irish Festival 2013. Photo Credit: TheFlashList.com

I love festivals! The distinction between an event, a festival, a fair, and an event is somewhat hard to discern. I guess it is one of those “you know it when you see it,” types of things. Unless, the word “festival” is actually in the name, then it’s pretty clear. Usually a festival lasts one to ten days, involves food, drink, music, film, and sometimes live artists performing or artisans selling their wares. Here is a list of March 2013 Dallas festivals you hopefully got a chance to attend. Watch for the April list to be released shortly that will have plenty of Dallas events that you can fill your weekends with non-stop entertainment.

March 2013 Dallas Festivals

North Texas Irish Festival (March 1st – 3rd) – The North Texas Irish Festival always features top Irish musicians and dancers from around the world and a variety of cultural presentations on over a dozen stages at Fair Park, and this year was no different. Along with music and dancing, a handful of food booth vendors served Irish stew and Shepherd’s pie, as well as other traditional Irish dishes. This year there was also plenty of what the Irish are known best for…beer including traditional Irish Guinness. Some other attractions were whiskey tastings, blacksmithing demonstrations, archery in a Celtic village, Gaelic football and horse displays that allowed attendees to experience Celtic culture. Even though I missed North Texas Irish festival 2013, I did go a couple of years ago. I enjoyed the food most and seeing several massive Irish Wolfhounds hanging out with their owners. I also got my kicks at the mobile petting zoo holding precious baby pigs. Read more about what happened on the pre-event North Texas Irish Festival 2013.

35 Denton Music Festival March (March 7th – 10th) – 35 Denton (formerly NX35 and 35 Conferette) is an annual four-day music festival in downtown Denton, TX. The festival is programmed each March the week prior to the music portion of SXSW in Austin, TX. In the past, the music festival has featured many nationally and indie-known touring acts, such as The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Local Natives, Portugal. The Man, The Flaming Lips, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Midlake, Sarah Jaffe, Brave Combo, Riverboat Gamblers, James McMurtry, and more. We did not cover 35 Denton Music Festival on ILiveInDallas.com originally, because it’s not in Dallas. However, I have a soft spot for happenings in the city of my alma mater and its independent-minded inhabitants. This event has certainly gained momentum and acclaim over the last few years and now gets written about pre and post event by all the major alt mags. On their site you can read more on what you might have missed this year, and get updates for next year’s 35 Denton Music Festival.

Savor Dallas (March 14th – 17th) – Many of the ongoing contributors to ILiveInDallas.com and two our core staff savored the flavor at the 9th annual Savor Dallas 2013. They expanded this year to include four days of festivities and was help Thurs., March 14-Sun. through March 17th. This celebration of wine, food, spirits and the arts spotlighted downtown’s newest venue of renown for the Friday night wine stroll, the recently-opened Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The Grand International Grand Tasting was held at the new Irving Convention Center. Savor Dallas is without a doubt, the largest premium wine and food event in Texas. This year over 60 of the area’s top chefs and more than 400 premium wines, spirits and beers were served events throughout the weekend. Watch for an upcoming podcast on ILiveInDallas with Founders Jim White and Vicki Briley-White. Read more about Savor Dallas 2013.

Texas Pinball Festival (March 15th – 17th) Over 300 vintage and new pinball machines, classic arcade games and slot machines were up for sale and set on free play at the Hilton Anatole from March 15th – 17th . Attendees enjoyed a variety of adult and kid pinball tournaments throughout the weekend to test their pinball skills against others for trophies and cash prizes. For enthusiasts and DIYers, there were vendors selling parts, supplies, equipment and memorabilia throughout the weekend. There was also a presentation by a well-known pinball artist on the Saturday of the event, followed by a signing of autographs and answering questions from the audience. Read more about Texas Pinball Festival 2013.

Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 16th) If you haven’t attended the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade before, then I don’t know what to tell you first. It’s an all-day party that starts with the parade. It’s a lot like Mardi Gras – (fun and possibly alcohol-fueled). This year was no different. Even though I hung up my green top hat with a buckle years ago, I won’t deny the good will that comes from the parade, the organizations that gain awareness, and the weekend tourism and economic stimulation that comes from the massive crowds that travel from the tri-state area to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dallas. This year Snoop Dogg played which caused quite a buzz. In the past many local, but nationally-recognized bands played such as the Toadies played in Energy Square. Read more about Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013.

Big Folkin’ Festival 2013 – This was the second year for Deep Ellum’s Big Folkin’ Festival. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I would like to next year. I heard it was an amazing music festival and saw the list of 25+ bands with the main stage hosting independent and national folk and alt folk bands such as HOLY MOLY, Quaker City Nighthawks, The O’s, Parallel Play, William Beckett (formerly of The Academy Is), Loyal Sally, and others. We will be sure to be on location next year in Deep Ellum to give you pre and onsite full coverage of all the folkin’ details for 2014. Read more about Read more about Big Folkin’ Festival 2013.