St. Patricks’s Day Events in KC
Kansas City Fun on St. Patty’s Day
Whether or not you have Irish blood, celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Kansas City by taking advantage of area events and Irish establishment specials.
Things to do on Saint Patrick’s Day include enjoying the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which has taken place in the city since 1973. The parade is the largest single-day event in the city, and features an array of emerald-colored floats as well as vendors selling food, alcohol, and merchandise.
Other Kansas City things to do on this holiday include enjoying the Irish-themed specials at local restaurants and watering holes. Doors open at 9am at Kellys Westport Inn for a day of celebrating all things Irish. The bar is synonymous with celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in Kansas City, and offers lots of green beer. Locals pack the bar all day long, so the establishment recommends wearing clothing you don’t mind getting “spilled on,” and particularly emphasize the wearing of green anything.
Saint Patrick’s Day events in Kansas City are not limited to events on the actual day. Register for the KC Track Club 34th Annual Westport Saint Patrick’s Day Race, where participants dress up in their best Saint Patrick’s Day costumes to run and raise funds for area organizations. The race happens on Saturday, March 10th, 2012. Register as a volunteer, individual runner, or as a team. Awards are presented to costumes deemed the most creative, though all participants who pre-register for the event receive a commemorative green t-shirt. A children’s race is also featured. If you register early enough, you may win one of the four “golden race bibs,” which gets each winner free apparel and two tickets to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade VIP tent among other prizes.
Get involved in an Irish sing-along at O’Dowd’s Little Dublin, another staple establishment for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in Kansas City. Choose from the two O’Dowd’s bars located in the city, and head for the upstairs deck at either location if you want to sing Irish tunes. The music plays all day long.
If you’re looking to escape the Saint Patrick’s Day madness for a bit, wander into The Gaf, which features hearty Irish specialties including Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Beef Stew, and Fish and Chips.
Other Kansas City things to do that relate to Saint Patrick’s Day include checking out performances at Johnson Community College. Irish band Danu will be performing at the college on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012, and offer music lovers an “authentic Irish experience.” The band uses a variety of traditional Irish instruments, including the fiddle, tin whistle, flute, and button accordion. Both traditional Irish and contemporary music is featured.
Enjoy these and other Kansas City things to do on and around Saint Patrick’s Day. Whatever you decide to do, remember to enjoy the festivities responsibly!
