Family Friendly St. Patrick's Day Events In Detroit
With a rich Irish heritage, the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Detroit offer fun, food and festivities for the entire family.
Detroit St. Patrick's Parade
Michigan Avenue, Sixth Street to Fourteenth Street
Detroit, MI 48216
detroitstpatricksparade.com
Price: Free
Date: March 11, 2012
Time: 2 p.m.
A Motor City tradition, the Detroit St. Patrick's Parade is traditionally held the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day. The Parade travels along Michigan Avenue through the Corktown district, starting at Sixth Street and ending at Fourteenth Street, about two hours later. Participants include local school marching bands, floats, clowns, pipe and drum bands and other marching units. The weather can be unpredictable; the best bet is to arrive early and wear layered clothing.
Related: Best Party Places For Kids In Detroit
Corktown Races
Michigan Central Station
Michigan & Vernor
Detroit, MI 48209
corktownrace.com
Price: $35 5K/$20 Kid's Quarter Mile
Date: March 11, 2012
Time: Kids quarter mile - 11:30 a.m.; 5K - 12 p.m.
Preceding the Parade, and as much of a tradition, the annual Corktown Races celebrate its 30th year in 2012. Runners are divided into five-year age groups, starting at 5 years old. Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers, and commemorative medals will be given to the first 7,000 runners. Proceeds from the race benefit the St. Patrick's Senior Center food programs and the Chass Community Health & Social Services Center.
St. Patrick's Day Party
Masonic Temple
755 South Saginaw St.
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 232-8641
flintstpatricksday.com
Date: March 17, 2012
Price: $10 Dinner/$18 Run or Walk/$5 Blarney Trot
Hours: Party 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Pot o' gold races – 5:30 p.m.; Dinner – 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
There's something for everyone on St. Patrick's Day in Flint. The Pot O' Gold races include a four-mile run, four-mile walk, and a kids' "Blarney Trot" quarter-mile race. The buffet dinner includes traditional corned beef and cabbage, as well as a beverage and dessert. Irish dancing and a band provide entertainment for all.
Gaelic League of Detroit
2068 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 964-7474
gaelicleagueofdetroit.org
Price: Free for League members
Date: March, 17, 2012
Time: 12 p.m.
St. Patrick's Day wouldn't be complete without a celebration at the Gaelic League, located in the heart of Corktown and celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2012. The party overflows from the hall and lounge into tents set up outside. Traditional Irish food and music are available throughout the day, along with dancing, drink and commemorative merchandise.
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Celtic Fest
Downtown
Port Huron, MI 48060
theirishamericanclub.org
Price: Leprechaun loop – $20 adults/$15 youth/pub crawl – $10 advance/$15 day of
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: Leprechaun loop – 9 a.m.; Parade – 12 p.m.; Pub crawl – 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Port Huron's Celtic Fest runs through the month of March, with the major events occurring on St. Patrick's Day. The day kicks off with the Leprechaun Loop races for all ages, featuring a 10K run, a 5K run, and a 2K walk. A St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at noon and travels through the downtown area. The Pub Crawl, which is of course more adult-oriented, includes over a dozen participating pubs throughout Port Huron. The Shamrock N' Roller trolleys will be running to transport crawlers safely from location to location.
Jennifer Walker is a freelance writer living in Detroit. She earned her Bachelor's degree in animal science from Michigan State University. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
