Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 03, 2011

Irish Blessing for Happiness
May your troubles be less
And your blessing be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

As soon as I turn the calendar over to March, I look to see on what day St. Patrick’s Day lands. There are many opportunities to celebrate in Kansas City with a parade, or Irish food, or music.

The Snake Saturday Parade has grown to become one of the Northland's favorite yearly events. This family friendly celebration all happens on Snake Saturday (the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day) at 11:00 in downtown North Kansas City. With their amazing floats, high school bands, and luck of the Irish, the organizers even donate the parade proceeds to local non-profits.

An annual tradition of many Kansas Citians is the annual Brookside St. Patrick's warm-up parade which occurs on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, March 12th at 2:00 p.m. in the Brookside Neighborhood. It starts at 63rd and Wornall, so stand in front of the shops and watch the show.

The 37th Annual Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be on March 17th starting at 11 a.m. After many years downtown, the nationally recognized parade will follow a more traditional, neighborhood path for the second year. Starting at Broadway from 33rd to 43rd Streets the parade is full of local Irish families and marching drill teams. Have you ever eaten a banger? Then drive on over to Browne’s Irish Marketplace, where Irish breakfasts are served on Saturday mornings in February and March, and on March 17th.

And if your wish is to hear some Irish music, the Elders (a local band) consists of a group of wicked-fine Kansas City musicians with a passion for Celtic music and a charismatic Irishman with a love of all things American. The Hoolie with The Elders will play on Mar 13th at the Uptown.

Another local Irish musician is Eddie Delahunt. He will play at O'Dowd’s Little Dublin on the Plaza in the evening of St. Patrick’s Day. Additional events can be found at Irish KC.

And when the 17th of March is long past, look for a book that will take you to Ireland. Favorite authors’ books are Maeve Binchy’s Heart and Soul and Whitethorn Woods, or Frank Delaney’s Ireland, Tipperary and Shannon. Novels like James Joyce’s Dubliners and Finnegans Wake are still popular classics.

Or, if you want to listen to Irish music, check out Celtic Thunder, The Essential Chieftains, Ireland in Song or Winter’s Crossing. Fine songs to make Irish eyes smile. Browse for these and other titles on display at the Raytown Branch.

Mary M.
Raytown Branch