It will be everything Irish in downtown Syracuse this weekend. The 13th annual Irish Festival is taking center stage in Clinton Square today and tomorrow. Brad Vivacqua tells about the festival.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- People who have been coming to this festival for several years know it's always a great time. We know how big St. Patrick’s Day is here in Syracuse every March. This festival just gives us another taste of the Irish spirit here at summers end.

This two-day festival will get started at noon today and a number of Irish restaurants will participate. Organizers say you'll find a new Taste of Ireland event this year, similar to the Taste of Syracuse where you can try sample all kinds of great foods. There will also be an Irish Cultural Village, and an activity area on Saturday so the kids can have a fun time as well.

One of the largest attractions to the festival will be the great musical lineup which will feature bands like the Rovers and the Elders which will perform both today and tomorrow.

Syracuse Irish Festival Co-Chair Martin Cahill says "It's just the ambience. Once the sun starts to go down, and the lights in the buildings come on, the music acts from around the country that come in here just love the way the city presents itself at night, so it kind of brings everybody downtown into Clinton Square for a real nice cultural event."

As part of the festival there will also be some guest speakers and workshops taking place throughout the weekend. The event is free but your best bet is to check out the Irish Festival.

To learn more about the bands and entertainment visit syracuseirishfestival.com.