It might be ridiculously cold or raining here and there in North Texas, but still, you can feel spring peeking out. All things GREEN are slowly returning, from the long, sturdy, pointed shoots of the daffodils to the wispy sprigs of the Texas wildflowers to the short, rich, green blades of grass beginning to smother the winter brown.
But more than a literal changing of the seasons, for many people, spring signifies the start of the outdoor festival season! We find ample reasons to congregate outside, enjoy a sense of community, and let our hair down.
By far, one of the favorite dates to do exactly that is St. Patrick’s Day – the one day of the year when seemingly everyone you know suddenly becomes IRISH!
Let Your Hair Down (and Paint it Green)
We know just the place to get your green on this year. First, reach into your closet and find ALL THE GREEN attire and flair that you can, and then mark your calendar for one of the most festive events in North Texas! You don’t want to miss The annual McKinney St. Patricks Day Festival and Fun Run.
You can eat, drink, and be Irish at Tupps Brewery on Anderson Street in McKinney on March 16. The event is FREE and open to the public. Expect fantastic features such as delicious food, GREEN beer (obviously!), a photo-booth, costume contests, over 50 boutiques, small businesses and artisans, and an entertainment stage presented by Trinity Falls featuring non-stop Irish entertainment throughout the festival.
Let the Shenanigans Begin (for a Good Cause)
The full day of fun and festivities kicks off at 9:00 am with a 5k fun run around TUPPS Brewery. The start and finish lines will be in front of the brewery located at the historic McKinney Cotton Mill with awards given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall male and female, and 1st place stroller.
Early sign up for the Fun Run is recommended and available here. Tickets are $25 and the fee includes race chip timing, a Shamrock Run t-shirt, finishers medal, and swag bag.
A portion of the proceeds from the fun run will go to McKinney-based Veterans non-profit, The Warriors Keep. Their mission is to unite, empower, and enhance the quality of life for Veterans through the use of Outdoor Therapy. Their programs provide Veterans with free access to outdoor activities, designed to educate and assist with the difficulties of re-integrating back to civilian life!
Eat, Drink, and Be Irish
After the 5k, grab your friends and family for traditional Irish music and performances by select musicians and dancers on the Event Stage including, String Theory, The Tradition Band, Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, and Shandon-O’Regan Irish Dance Academy. Admission to the festival is FREE, but you can register early for a beer pass to avoid lines on event day. The pass includes three 16 oz beers and a McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Festival koozie!
This is the 2nd year for the McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Year one was a smashing success and event organizers expect an even greater attendance than last year. Lauren Stephan, President of SBG Hospitality, shared,
We were very pleased with the attendance at our inaugural event. McKinney residents and visitors showed up in their green to have a good time and the event definitely delivered. It’s a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration and we’re looking forward to growing the event to become a favorite in North Dallas for years to come.
Kiss Me, I’ll Be There
Event sponsors include Davidson Lane Real Estate Group, Tupps Brewery, Trinity Falls, Liberty Mutual, and Auto Hail Repair Group. The event is powered by Prestige Community Credit Union and event organizers are booking more vendors, sponsors and event partners now. For partnership information, email SBG Hospitality.
More information about the 2019 McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Shamrock Run 5k can be found via Eventbrite.
Now, tell us. Are YOU Irish? Whether you literally grew up in Ireland, you have Irish heritage, or you just claim Irish ancestry once a year so that you don’t get pinched, let us know how you plan to celebrate this year!
