Flashing green

West Michigan runners dash before they crawl the streets on  St. Paddy’s Day

Waking up early to run is a regular feat for some, but for others, it’s the spirit of chasing someone dressed as a leprechaun while in a green tutu that really gets them going. And I love that. Whether you’re grabbing a drink afterward, be it green beer or a non-alcoholic version, there are plenty of bars to crawl to throughout any West Michigan city in which you choose to celebrate.

St. Patrick’s Day Runs

The St. Paddy’s Leprechaun Chase 5K will be held in Holland’s Centennial Park Sat., March 16, 2024. From 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., runners and spectators will be able to experience a frenzy of green for the eighth year in a row. Held by the Holland Running Club, the proceeds from this event will go towards providing road racing experiences to individuals with disabilities through the West Michigan Chapter of myTEAM TRIUMPH. Register ahead of time or show up to watch and cheer for the runners.
More information is available at hollandrunningclub.org.

Muskegon’s Shamrock Shuffle 5k
Sat., March 16
Pigeon Hill Brewing Company 
895 4th Street, Muskegon
Starts at 9 a.m.
Search “Muskegon” at runsignup.com for details. 

Saugatuck’s Third Annual Shamrock Run, Walk, or Roll and a Kids Dash
Sat., March 16
Wick’s Park Bar & Grille
449 Water Street, Saugatuck
Starts at 11 a.m. (A pub crawl will follow.)
For more information, visit saugatuck.com.
Event is listed under the Holidays tab.

Parades

Muskegon’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sat., March 16 
Downtown Muskegon
933 Terrace Street, Muskegon

Holland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sat., March 16
8th Street Market Place
11 a.m.

Concerts

On Fri., March 15, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Muskegon’s Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave., will host a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with musical group, Cherish the Ladies. The Grammy-nominated group consists of Nollaig Casey on the fiddle, Mirella Murray on the accordion, Mary Coogan on guitar, Catherine McHugh on piano, and Kate Purcell on lead vocals and the guitar. Since 1985, the group has been enchanting crowds of all kinds and has collaborated with musicians such as Don Henley, Nanci Griffith, and The Boston Pops Orchestra. Attendees can purchase tickets for the March 15 show ahead of time. 

Black Murray will play in Holland’s The Curragh Irish Pub on Sat., March 16. The show will run from 7 – 10 p.m. The acoustic band consists of V Cieri, who plays the violin and provides vocals, Grace Chung who does percussion, whistles, vocals, and melodica, and Allan McMillan plays both the guitar and baritone guitar and provides vocals.
The Curragh
73 East 8th Street, Holland

Whorled: International Experience will be playing in Muskegon’s The Starlight Room on Sat., March 16, 7 p.m.

“Whorled” is a combination of Celtic music and other world folk music. The trio that makes up Whorled is Thom Jayne on guitar, Keala Venema mastering multiple instruments including the fiddle, tin whistle, piano, mandolin, and Irish drum, and Mariko Venema who plays the piano and accordion.
The Starlight Room
4765 Airline Road, Muskegon

While it is certainly not a complete activity list, there are plenty of St. Patrick’s Day West MI-shenaniganders to celebrate with.