There is always a wealth of activities to keep residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth area occupied on weekends, but this year St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday, making it a three-day celebration of the “Wearin’ of the Green.” Once again, the Greenville Ave. Parade and Concert is the highlight of the weekend, planned this year to be a more “family-friendly” event, but still with plenty of “spirit.” The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Greenville Ave. near Northwest Highway, and continues south to SMU Blvd.
The day begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, however, with the St. Paddy’s Day Dash Down Greenville 5K Run/Walk benefiting the North Texas Food Bank. Last year’s race raised more than $60,000, supplying almost 185,000 meals for North Texans in need. Registration is limited to the first 8,500 to sign up, and may be completed online, with packets available for pickup at several locations throughout the Metroplex.
The dash ends just before the traditional parade down Greenville Ave., and then the party continues with a concert by Snoop Dogg.
However, for those who would prefer a quieter celebration of Irish festivity, there are other options, and there’s much more than green beer and corned beef sandwiches available.
Another Saturday event for the family is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Cowtown Goes Green is a completely free Western/Irish celebration featuring a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and other activities for the kids, as well as the traditional live music, gunfights and other attractions of the historic district. The special twist is a “Green” parade following the traditional 4 p.m. cattle drive down Exchange Street.
Two other special events for Shamrock Weekend in Big D will appeal to widely variant tastes: Dallas Art Museum’s Late Night program and the DFW Auto Show at the Dallas Convention Center.
Late Night offerings at the Museum are the third Friday night of each month, with special events for all ages scheduled from 6 p.m. through midnight. The March 15 theme is Wizard of Oz, with a special photo opportunity in front of an Emerald City backdrop; other offerings include live music, stories, a special Twitter Treasure Hunt, and then a screening of the movie "Return to Oz" at 10 p.m. The Crow Collection of Asian Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center are also open until midnight.
Car buffs will find much to love at the Dallas Auto Show which opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, and runs daily through 7 p.m. Sunday, March 17. In addition to giving attendees a chance to see new models up close and personal throughout the show, there is an opportunity to take the wheel and evaluate Chrysler Group vehicles Friday through Sunday.
Finally, a special St. Patrick’s Day event at the Dallas Arboretum is designed especially for adults, and combines good food, good wines or beers, and the spectacular setting of the park with all its spring blooms. The Sunday evening stroll, part of the Arboretum Signature Series, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., and features samples from some of Dallas’ most innovative chefs and restaurants. Tickets are available at $65, or $59 for members; participants will receive a crystal tasting glass as a memento.
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