Milwaukee Irish Fest's Ward Irish Music Archives will mark the late Bing Crosby's 100th birthday with a conference from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., April 12, featuring Crosby's wife, Kathryn, and collaborator, Buddy Bregman, as special guests.

Besides informal mingling with Kathryn Crosby, a popular actress and author, the conference will feature films, discussions, refreshments and a rare public opportunity to browse the recordings and memorabilia in the Stapleton Bing Crosby Collection, the second-largest collection of Crosby memorabilia in North America.

The event will take place at the Irish Fest Center, 1532 Wauwatosa Ave.

"Bing Crosby was arguably the greatest American entertainer of the 20th century and we are fortunate to have the second-largest public collection of his records," said Barry Stapleton, director of the Archives.

For diehard Crosby fans, the Milwaukee conference kicks off a year-long celebration. Stapleton, a member of three different Crosby fan clubs, will be accompanying Crosby artifacts from the Ward Archives to conferences and festivals throughout the summer.

Crosby's actual birthday is May 3.

Kathryn Crosby is an actress, singer and TV host. Fluent in German, French, Spanish and Russian, she has become an American cultural ambassador to many countries. Kathryn Crosby's newest book, My Last Years With Bing, will be available for purchase and autograph at the conference.

Bregman grew up with the Crosby family. He was a close friend to Crosby's late son, Gary Crosby. Bregman is internationally recognized as a multi-talented producer, director, writer, composer, conductor and arranger in the fields of music, records, television and motion pictures.

OMC is giving away two tickets to six lucky winners to this interesting event. Winners will be notified Tues., April 8. To enter, click here.