Weekend
St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, just the way the Celtic saint would have wanted it. For the rest of us, the activities start early to make sure you get in your corn beef, cabbage and Guinness.
Claremore takes the lead with its Bangers and Mash Lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, March 15, in the Claremore Daily Progress parking lot, 315 W. Will Rogers Blvd., with live music, a sidewalk stroll and Pot-O-Gold Give-away. Plates are $6. The fun resumes with Claremore Main Street’s St. Paddy’s Party from 6-9 p.m., including more music, a short parade, Irish dancing, food, drinks and dedication to Celtic traditions. Read more at www.downtownclaremore.org.
The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First St., Tulsa, has the St. Patrick’s Day Swing and Dance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, with a bandstand, dance floor and Tulsa’s favorite jazzin’ redhead Pam Van Dyke Crosby at the mike. Tickets are $10 each. Go to www.okjazz.org for more.
Tulsa’s Brookside District closes the streets for the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run, beginning at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, with the 1-Mile Fun Run along Peoria Avenue beginning at 43rd Street South. The event, which benefits Special Olympics Oklahoma, includes the Special Olympics Run, a 5k run and a costume contest, making it an interesting event for spectators, too. Registration details are available at www.sook.org.
Follow the rainbow over to downtown Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma City’s Saint Patrick’s Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16. The parade begins at Walker and Sheridan avenues and follows Sheridan until Mickey Mantle Drive. Arrive early to get a good place to view the procession filled with colorful floats, a pipe and drum band and good ol’ green cheer. Read about it at www.okcstpatsparade.com.
It wouldn’t be a day of Celtic cheer without a mention of Arnie’s in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District. Arnie’s 57th Annual St. Patrick’s Celebration features two days of music beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Look for favorites like Dustin Pittsley, Steve Pryor, Jesse Aycock and Wink Burcham. The celebrating continues at 1 p.m. Sunday with music from Sibling Harmony, The Fiddlers, Cairde na Gael, Larkin and Sodhouse playing into the night. Hungry? Park it at the food truck food court just outside on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Second Street. Get the details at www.arniesbar.com.
