Get ready to break out the green this weekend
By Owen Morris in Events
Friday, Mar. 13 2009 @ 1:30PM
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| Flickr: Kevin Coles |
St. Patrick's Day may not be until Tuesday, but a couple of cities in the area are getting their Irish on a wee-bit early. The Northland has the biggest party, with Snake Saturday starting tomorrow at 10 a.m. The Missouri State Barbecue Championship held on site ensures that not only will this parade draw the Irish, but Kansas City's finest pit masters as well. Spectators are allowed samples.
Floats for the 25th annual Snake Parade will start lining up at 8:30 a.m. and the parade itself starts at 11 a.m. at 14th and Swift and heads for the main drag that is Armour Road. The awards for best floats begin at 3 p.m.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the festival grounds will be open and will feature mostly free carnival rides, art, a petting zoo, pony rides, drinks and food. Snake Saturday is especially geared toward children and families so if you're a little afraid of what the youngsters might see in Westport on Tuesday, it's a great alternative.
Wait, there's more!
On Sunday the Irish American Club of Shawnee's St.
Patrick's Day Parade starts lining up at 11 a.m. and begins at 1
p.m. This year's theme is "Show us the green and we'll show you the
gold," in reference to prizes for float participants. The parade begins
at Johnson Drive and Monrovia and heads east on Johnson past Quivira
all the way to Nieman. Halfway through the route is a perfect viewing
spot at Herman-Laird Park. This parade is also very family friendly.
The other parade on Sunday is Martin City's 22nd annual Irishpalooza. The fun starts at 11 a.m. at 135th and MO-150; the parade kicks off at 2 p.m. heading east on 135th to Holmes Road. Sponsors claim that they attracted 20,000 people last year; with a long list of musical acts as well as sponsors including Jameson Whiskey, Jess & Jim's Steakhouse and Fiorella's Jack Stack, it's easy to see why the people turn out in droves.
For the most comprehensive list of Irish bands, Irish activities and anything else remotely Irish, check out Irish KC's incredibly detailed calender. Any man who's downed 28 pints of Guinness in one day has my full respect.
The other parade on Sunday is Martin City's 22nd annual Irishpalooza. The fun starts at 11 a.m. at 135th and MO-150; the parade kicks off at 2 p.m. heading east on 135th to Holmes Road. Sponsors claim that they attracted 20,000 people last year; with a long list of musical acts as well as sponsors including Jameson Whiskey, Jess & Jim's Steakhouse and Fiorella's Jack Stack, it's easy to see why the people turn out in droves.
For the most comprehensive list of Irish bands, Irish activities and anything else remotely Irish, check out Irish KC's incredibly detailed calender. Any man who's downed 28 pints of Guinness in one day has my full respect.
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