A Mile High St. Patrick's Weekend

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VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau

Mar 01, 2012, 02:52 ET

10 of the Best Ways to "Go Green" this Year in Denver

DENVER, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday this year – the perfect excuse for a weekend full of Irish revelry in the Mile High City. As luck would have it, Denver is offering great hotel deals for the weekend along with parades, traditional (and not-so-traditional) music and dance, day-long parties, family-friendly events and more.

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1.St. Patrick's Day Parade
When: March 17, 10 a.m.
Where: Downtown Denver (Map of parade route)
The St. Patrick's Day Parade is a festive and fun event for all ages that celebrates Irish culture and heralds the start of spring. It's the largest St. Paddy's day parade west of the Mississippi, and the largest annual parade in Denver, with more than 200,000 people lining the route to enjoy horses and stagecoaches, marching bands, dancers, floats and Irish-themed fun with a Western flair. All in all, more than 200 businesses and organizations and 10,000 marchers will take part in the festivities. The parade begins at 27th and Blake Streets in LoDo (just down the street from the Coors Field parking lot) at 10 a.m. and generally lasts until 2 p.m.

2. 14th Annual Outdoor St. Patrick's Day Festival
When: March 17
Where: Fado Irish Pub
It's the biggest day of the year at Fado, the classic Irish pub in Downtown Denver's ballpark district. The beer starts flowing at 7:30 a.m., and the outdoor festival starts at 10 a.m. with live music on two stages from the Clancy's, Big Paddy, The Indulgers, Celtic Steps, Colorado Youth and Nevermind the 90s. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., kids' events include a bouncy castle, games and face painting. 21 and older only after 5 p.m. If that isn't enough, Fado is celebrating all week long with various events, including:

St. Paddy's Day Irish Session (March 12, 7 p.m.) - a night full of traditional Irish music
Irish Idol Karaoke (every Wednesday in March, 8 p.m.) – sing your heart out
Annual St. Baldrick's Head Shaving Charity Event (March 16, starting at 11 a.m.) - fearless volunteers go bald to fight cancer

3. Bennett School of Irish Dance Taps Its Way Into Denver
When: March 17, 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Children's Museum of Denver
Youngsters can celebrate St. Patrick's Day with interactive performances by young dancers from the family-friendly Bennett School of Irish Dance. Complete with traditional Irish music, these centuries-old dances combine the captivating rhythms of Celtic music with the elegance and energy of dance. Free with museum admission.

4. Tilted Kilt Celebration
When: March 17
Where: Tilted Kilt Denver
Party all day long with the lasses at Tilted Kilt for a festive St. Paddy's Day weekend. Doors open at 7 a.m. with green beer, Bloody Mary's, breakfast and a day full of fun. For those who just can't wait to celebrate, doors open at 9:30 a.m. at the Kilt on March 15 and 16.

5. 4th Annual St. Patrick's Gay Cabaret
When: March 17, 7 p.m.
Where: Messiah Community Church
Harmony Chorale presents a campy take on St. Patrick's Day with music, appetizers, cocktails and fun; all for $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit Harmony's mission of inclusiveness in Denver.

6. St. Paddy's Celebration at the Tavern Downtown
When: March 16-17
The rooftop patio at the Tavern Downtown is one of the best spots for parade watching and for partying the rest of the day. DJs spin the latest jams all day beginning at 10 a.m. Pre-load the Irish celebration on March 16 with radio station 95.7 The Party as hosts Deuce and DJ Bedz broadcast live from 3 to 7 p.m. with giveaways, drink specials and more.

7. Runnin' of the Green 7K
When: March 11, 10 a.m.
Where: Race starts at 17 Street and Wazee in Lower Downtown Denver (course map)
Break out your green running shoes. Voted the 2011 Race of the Year by Colorado Runner Magazine, this family oriented foot race/walk celebrates St. Patrick's Day and spring. Stick around after the race for a fun after-party.

8. Denver Nuggets take on the Boston Celtics
When: March 17, 7 p.m.
Where: Pepsi Center
Watch the ultimate St. Paddy's Day sporting event. See which city truly has the "luck o' the Irish" as the Nuggets battle the Celtics.

9. Gobs O'Phun
When: March 16, 8 p.m.
Where: Daniels Hall at Swallow Hill Music
The Gobs perform traditional Celtic folksongs, telling stories that run the gamut from silly to sad and everything in between. Accompanied by guitar, bodhran, sticks, banjo and an awe-inspiring instrument not found in any other band (the "Bagmonica"), you just have to see it to believe.

10. Brass, Bagpipes & Co: Celtic Fusion
When: March 10 & 16 (2:30 p.m.), March 11 & 18 (7:30 p.m.)
Where: Newman Center for the Performing Arts
The Denver Brass fuses the best of the past with all new sights and sounds to create a dazzling experience for new and returning fans. Be transported to the Emerald Isle and beyond in a show featuring timeless Celtic favorites and inspiring new sounds.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating more than 100 years of promoting the Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. A record 12.7 million visitors stayed overnight in Denver in 2010, generating $3 billion in spending, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs, making Tourism the second largest industry in Denver. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER, on Twitter @iknowdenver and the VISIT DENVER Facebook page, or by phone at 800 2 DENVER.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Rich Grant: (303) 571-9450 or [email protected]
Debbie Park: (303) 571-9451 or [email protected]
Katie Adamson: (303) 571-9418 or [email protected]

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau