Five ways you can get in on the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Wichita this year

Whether they’re Irish or not, thousands of St. Patrick’s Day revelers are expected to hit the streets in Wichita this weekend for events ranging from parades to parties to a pub crawl.

Here are five ways you can get in on the celebrations.

Partake of Wichita’s long-running St. Patrick’s Day parade

The Delano St. Paddy Day street party and parade runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in the historic neighborhood started in 2007 and was canceled during COVID, but was revived last year by a new group of organizers comprising several Delano businesses and Xclusive Events who added additional events including a kids zone and street party.

The parade, which kicks off at noon, will run west on Douglas from McLean Boulevard to Walnut Street. Other activities include a kids zone open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the northwest parking lot at Douglas and Osage Street, and a street party and food truck rally with about 14 food trucks from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the north side of Douglas on Handley Street between All Things BBQ and Slape and Howard. There will with music by DJ Dugger from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

Party in the park

Another returning event is the Wagon O’Masters Paddy Party, hosted by the Wichita Wagonmasters, at Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Last year’s inaugural party attracted 5,000 people. Food and beverage sales start at 9 a.m., with an opening ceremony kicking off the party at 10 a.m. The event will include games, a raffle with prizes including Blake Shelton concert tickets and a VIP experience at Topgolf, music and a beard contest. The raffle tickets are $10 each and you don’t need to be present to win.

The music lineup kicks off around 10 a.m. with the Flint Hill Highlanders of Wichita and includes a 2 p.m. performance by the Wichita Caledonian Pipes and Drums. The Wagonmasters will be serving food, including bangers and mash, with proceeds benefiting its Good Life grant program. More information at facebook.com/goodlifeict

Get your fill of Irish food and music

Several bars and pubs, particularly those with any sort of Irish names and connections, will celebrate the weekend as well.

Businesses that are planning festivities on Saturday and Sunday include the Shamrock Lounge (facebook.com/ShamrockLoungeICT), 1705 W. Douglas, serving Irish-themed food out of its little house on the patio (cash-only sales), and the Artichoke Sandwichbar (facebook.com/rtchoke), 811 N. Broadway, which will have a parking lot party with a heated tent and food specials. Both locations will have live music.

Irish-themed drink and food specials are also on the menu at O’Briens, 5205 E. Kellogg, and O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 2405 W. 31st St. South, which boasts a large selection of Irish whiskeys.

Fans of the Wichita Caledonian Pipes and Drums will have plenty of opportunities to hear the bagpipers. The group has a packed schedule for the weekend, starting with a noon Saturday appearance in the Delano parade, and then making appearances at the Artichoke at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Paddy Party at Naftzger Park at 2 p.m. Saturday, Caesar’s Ballroom at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Whiskey Dicks at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Spauldings at 5 p.m. Saturday, Old Chicago in Old Town at 6 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday, Eighth Day Books at 8 p.m. Saturday, and Twin Peaks’ east location at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Knocknasheega, a Wichita group that plays Irish and Celtic music, will also be making multiple appearances this weekend: 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Tor Brewing. 222 S. Commerce; 1-2 p.m. Sunday at Public: Brickyard, 129 N. Rock Island; and 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the Artichoke.

The Sassanachs, an Irish and folk rock band from Hesston, will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Shamrock.

Crawl among Wichita pubs and bars

Around a handful of Old Town venues are on the Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl happening from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday. It’s a ticketed, adults-only event with check-in between 4 and 6 p.m. at Emerson Biggins, 808 E. Douglas. Advance tickets are $25 through March 15 and day-of prices are $30. More info: crawlwith.us/wichita/stpattys

Join another long-running event

The 15th annual St. Patrick’s 5K run/walk starts at 8 a.m. Sunday at Old Cowtown Museum. Race packets will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Fartlek’s Running Shop, 535 W. Douglas and at Old Cowtown on Sunday morning, starting at 6:30 a.m. Finishers get a pint glass, participant shirt and medal. A kids fun run for ages 8 and younger starts around 9 a.m., after the 5k is done. Registration for the 5K is $40 per person with a discount for teams of three. The kids run entry fee is $15. More info: wichitarunningcompany.com/st-pats-5k