Inland Empire = Emerald Isle

Pomona does its best impression of Ireland this weekend for the L.A. County Irish Fair & Music Festival. It's not that much of a stretch: "Inland Empire" = "Emerald Island." Okay, so it is a stretch, but the bands, dancers and craftsmen are the real Irish deal, highlighted by Gaelic Storm (the band from Titanic), the Mulligans, Skelpin, Wrath of McGrath, Twilight Lords and Dublin Four, plus the colorful Emerald Society Drums and Pipers and the 42nd Highlanders Pipes and Drums. Traditional and contemporary dance groups performing include the Royal Scottish Country Dancers, Los Angeles Traditional Irish Set Dancers, Cripple Creek Cloggers and the youthful McCartan Dancers. An Ancient Irish Village will be the site of artisans and street performers re-creating Ireland of old, with a blacksmith, sword makers, and women sewing children's clothes, designing jewelry, and creating arts and crafts. And archers. And a Children's Leprechaun Kingdom. March 8-9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2008