Wearing green, drinking green beer and setting up leprechaun traps are not the only ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Tucson.
You can also run a 5K, watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and wander around the festival that celebrates the festive holiday. The event has something for everyone — from food and merchandise to Irish dance and music, as well as a children’s game area and tables showcasing Irish culture.
The theme of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival of Tucson is “Freedom Rising,” to honor the centennial of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland — a rebellion against British rule that failed, but forged a path that would eventually lead to the creation of the Republic of Ireland.
“We decided that our theme would be Freedom Rising to acknowledge the gains freedom has made in the course of human events and the sacrifices made in its service,” said John Murphy, president of the parade and festival committee. “But also to recognize that freedom, fleeting and ethereal, is linked to so many other aspects of our lives and is ever-evolving.”
Here’s what you can expect to see and do at this year’s festivities.
Running with the Irish
Kick off the festivities by running the “Green Isle Mile” or the “Running with the Irish 5K,” starting at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 13.
The mile-long run will take place downtown. The first 50 finishers will receive a shamrock medallion and prize money will be given to the top two men and women overall.
The 5K will be run on the Barraza-Aviation Parkway bike path. The top 100 finishers will receive a commemorative mug provided by the Running Shop.
As an added bonus, runners who are 21 and over will receive a coupon for $1 beer.
The cost is $25 for one race or $35 to do both. Registration fees benefit the Kick Cancer for Stephen Foundation. Register online at taggrun.com
Festival food and fun
In it’s 29th year, the St. Patrick’s Day Festival has become a downtown Tucson tradition.
Make sure and catch performances by dancers from Maguire Academy of Irish Dance and Tir Conaill Academy of Dance. You’ll also get to hear Irish rock music from The Sea Merchants.
Bring your appetite. Food vendors will be selling Irish food and beer.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 13 at Armory Park, 221 S. Sixth Ave.
Parade for all ages
“Children of all ages like parades,” Murphy said.
This one winds through downtown, so there are plenty of spots to watch the fun.
Spectators can expect to see “lots of bagpipes, walking and float entries,” Murphy said.
It will include military units, local dignitaries, media and entertainment personalities and civic, cultural and social groups.
The parade will start at 11 a.m., March 13 at South Stone Avenue and East 16th Street and end at Armory Park.
