Killarney Guide

Green ice cream, a green fire truck, horse riding, skating, bowling, live music – and even some hot Irish stew…

BY KIM LANGEN

Things are heating up in Killarney this weekend, as the town prepares to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in all kinds of ways.

One of the most popular events is the Saint Patrick’s for Kids, which takes place on Saturday afternoon, March 16, at the Shamrock Centre.

“Once again Jo Pettypiece has orchestrated a fantastic event,” said recreation manager Wendy Giesbrecht. “And this year we have the addition of pony rides. The Ride-a-Paint horse rides will be available from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. Plus we are opening the ice up for skating and some simple games. Bring your skates! If you are under 18, you need to wear a helmet.”

St. Pat’s for Kids runs from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, and the whole shebang is free for all.

The Shamrock Centre goes wild with a green theme, which includes crafts, face painting, a jellybean guessing contest, free bowling, tattoos and body stickers, plus cookie decorating, and even some green ice cream cones for the kids.

A Motion Zone will open up for free play, with awesome equipment and fun games for the children, and the RCMP and Fire Department will also be dropping by in the parking lot, with a daring chance for the kids to get up close, and even scramble inside a cop car and a fire truck and hear the sirens.

Also in town, there’s a St. Pat’s Luncheon taking place at the Killarney United Church, on Friday, March 15, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the C.E. Centre, at 430 Williams Avenue.

The Killarney Men’s and Ladies’ St. Pat’s Bonspiel runs for three days, from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17, at the Shamrock Centre’s TLA Curling Rink.

Plus the local Legion is celebrating the happy day with a Pot of Gold Bingo event, which will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, just behind the Post Office.

And you can even warm up before the bingo excitement, with a bowl of hot Irish stew, served up in the Legion Hall from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. 

Later on, Lyle Baldwin will be belting out some Irish tunes, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Legion Clubroom downstairs. And there will be another chance to savour that famous Irish stew.

And finally, to wind up St. Pat’s with a great time for the adults, terrific Brandon rock band Daisy Chain will take over the Shamrock Centre on Saturday evening.

“It’s been a few years, I believe, since we have hosted this social, and I think we can bring the celebration back,” said Giesbrecht. “It’s the perfect time of year to get out and about, and shake off the spring fever. We really are offering something for everyone.”

Tickets are $10, and this St. Pat’s Social will run from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Saturday, March 16.

For a full list of events, times, prices, etc., see the ad below.

LEAPIN’ LEPRECHAUNS – Local artist Joanne Struss painted this wonderful mural in the front window of the Shamrock Centre, ready for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations taking place this weekend. Saint Patrick’s for Kids will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 – and it’s all free! It may still be white outside, but there will be plenty of the green inside. And don’t forget the Saturday social with rock band Daisy Chain!

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTO