Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

March 11, 2016

All dressed up in your green with nowhere to go? Never fear — everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Check out our sampling of some of the biggest St. Paddy’s celebrations happening across northern Michigan.

Boyne City – Irish Heritage Week (Mar. 13–20) Boyne City’s strong Irish roots mean they’ve got a whole week of Irish-inspired fun lined up. Each day offers something new, from Irish language lessons to film showings (Michael Collins), an Irish soda bread contest and step dance workshop. Cafe Sante hosts a corned beef Irish dinner with music from Irish folk fusion band The Saltbound; an Irish feast is slated for the Eagles Hall, also with live music; and several singalongs further bolster that Irish spirit. More information: boynechamber.com

Gaylord – 16th Annual Eagle 101.5 St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Mar. 12) From Michigan Avenue to the community center, downtown Gaylord will be festooned in green starting at noon with this radio station-sponsored parade kicking off behind Timothy’s Pub after a 10am Irish breakfast to honor 2016 Parade Marshal Terry O’Connor. After the parade, the community center will be overflowing with Tim’s Irish stew, hot cocoa, beverages and more. More information: gaylordmichigan.net

Petoskey – 11th Annual Robert Emmet Society Hoolie (Mar. 12) A hoolie is Irish slang for a party or celebration, and that’s exactly what this bash, hosted by the Robert Emmet Society, is. Held every year at Stafford’s Perry Hotel, it’s full of live music from Irish band The Outside Track (also performing at Sleder’s in Traverse City Mar. 13), The Hooligans and dancing from the Northern Lights Irish Dance Academy. You might just get to dancing yourself…but don’t miss their great Irish-themed menu. More information: emmetsociety.org

Thompsonville – Crystal Mountain St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (Mar. 17) The spirit of St. Patrick — was he inclined to strap on skis — is alive and well at Crystal Mountain, with $10 off lift tickets (Mar. 17 only) if you dress in full Irish green costume. While you’re making those runs, find a numbered shamrock on the hill and return it to the Park at Water’s Edge for a prize or try your luck guessing how much is in the pot of gold. More information: crystalmountain.com

Traverse City – Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick’s Parade (Mar. 12) Starting and ending at the State Street Grill, per the Hibernians’ tradition, this annual St. Paddy’s event begins at 1:30pm with sport coat — bedecked participants and includes marching band music. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a leprechaun or two. Stick around afterwards for post-parade Irish entertainment with The Wild Sullys on stage at The State Street Grill and a well-planned pub crawl. More information: tcaoh.com