Welcome back to St. Paddy’s party in Killarney
Saturday, March 19 will be St. Patrick’s party day at the Shamrock Centre
BY KIM LANGEN
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is back on the cards this year, and organizers say it’s going to be a wonderful day for the whole family.
Saturday, March 19, is slated for the St. Paddy’s Day party in Killarney, at the Shamrock Centre, and from noon to 4 p.m. there will be a plethora of activities, including music, arts and crafts, cookie decoration, and even some Irish stew to enjoy.
“I think it will be great to bring it back again,” said recreation director April Archambault. “I think that after being on hold for the last two years it will be great for everyone to get together. There are things to do all afternoon, they are all come-and-go, drop-in events, and they are for all of the family.”
Chef Becky is preparing an Irish Stew and Biscuit Lunch (served up from noon to 2 p.m.), and Brandon Bouncy Castles will be setting up inside the facility, said Archambault.
“We have the McConnell Irish Dancers coming from Winnipeg, for a traditional Irish dance performance,” she added. “There will also be some live Irish music, plus fire truck rides all afternoon, toonie bowling all afternoon, and even a Library Story Walk. This involves traveling around the Shamrock Centre in a kind of storybook treasure-hunt.”
New this year is Fun Time Pottery, featuring a Brandon company who will lead a pottery workshop, and even fire the clay works for the ‘artists,’ she added.
As if that wasn’t enough, partygoers can partake in the Free Skate (2-4 p.m.), free ice cream and cookie decorating, free arts and craft stations, and even join in with the Killarney-Turtle Mountain Arts Council’s mysterious ‘Community Art Project.’
“This will involve the creation of part of an outdoor play structure here at the Shamrock Centre,” said Archambault. “It will be weatherized, and the project may well be continued after St. Pat’s. We hope all ages will contribute to this project.”
Marla Winters, a local violin teacher, will host her students as they perform some Irish numbers, and there will also be games and prizes dotted throughout the day.
All are welcome to attend this wonderful free event, and revel in the opportunity to mix and mingle in the joyous celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. Slainte!
AWARD-WINNING DANCERS – The McConnell Irish Dancers, from Winnipeg, will be performing this year during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Saturday, March 19 in Killarney. Above, the winning dancers taking the podium at the Canadian Open Championships back in 2019. If you like what you see, The McConnell Irish Dancers will be returning at spring break to lead some Irish Dance Workshops for kids at the Shamrock Centre, on Thursday, March 31. See the full St. Pat’s celebrations ad below.
