Party Like the Irish

Mark your calendars for Claremore Main Street’s two upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Claremore Main Street is gearing up for its annual St. Patrick’s Day events. The first will be an evening street party on Friday, March 11, followed by a lunch event on Tuesday, March 17.  
The Friday night family-friendly event will feature live music and fun. Food for purchase will include Irish Dogs and the traditional St. Paddy’s day favorite of corn beef and cabbage, and beverages will be available for purchase. And there will be lots of Irish memorabilia for attendees to browse. Claremore Main Street St. Paddy’s Day T-shirts will be for sale as well. The free event will be held in the 400 block of W. Will Rogers Boulevard from 6 to 9 p.m.
Live entertainment includes Timothy O’Brian’s Celtic Cheer, Goode Irish Academy of Dance, Frank Smreker and Vintage Wild Flowers, all popular performers from previous years.
“It is basically just a fun party for the whole family,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street director. “We love to see all the faces of our community get out and enjoy the holiday spirit while supporting the great downtown businesses and the Main Street initiatives.”   
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, Claremore Main Street will host its second holiday event, the traditional Bangers and Mash lunch. Volunteers will be serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Claremore Progress parking lot, located at 315 W. Will Rogers Blvd. “This event is always a fun one as well,” said Jackson. “We invite all of those who will be in Claremore during the lunch hours to come out and celebrate with us.”  
The Bangers and Mash Lunch consists of the meal, a drink and, of course, a dessert. The cost for lunch is $6, or $5 for those wearing or purchasing a Claremore St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt, either from this year or a previous year. Shirts will be available at both events.  
Timothy O’Brian’s Celtic Cheer will have an encore performance during the two-hour lunch event, as well as a performance by Robinson Aire.
Residents are invited to participate in “Green Bucks” to win a Pot-O-Gold Giveaway, by shopping select downtown merchants March 1-16. The drawing will be held at the Bangers & Mash Lunch, and you do not need to be present to win. Participating stores include Homeward Bound, The Belvidere, Rhapsody Faith and Fashion, Outwest Home Décor, Boomerang, Thrift Harbor, The District on Main, Bike About Bicycles, Boarding House Books, LoliPop A Sweet Boutique, The Cozy Cottage, Willow Tree Mall, The Cranberry Merchant, The Grapevine, The Burlap Closet, Vintique Charm and Iron and Pottery Connection.
All of the proceeds raised at the two Claremore Main Street St. Patrick’s Day events will be used to fund new Main Street projects. Claremore Main Street is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of downtown Claremore.