St. Patrick's Day celebrations at the end of the rainbow

<p>Muncie residents endured snow, rain and hail to receive candy at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17. <strong>Madeline Grosh, DN</strong></p>

Muncie residents endured snow, rain and hail to receive candy at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17. Madeline Grosh, DN

When the same holidays come every year like clockwork, it can be hard to find new events for entertainment, especially in an unfamiliar town. 

Stores are packed with the same beads, shamrocks and green everything, but nothing feels lucky. 

Here are a few shenanigans and ways to celebrate the Irish holiday in Muncie:

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This year will mark the 33rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Muncie. Spreading luck and candy down Walnut, Charles and Mulberry streets, participants can enjoy the Irish holiday with attendees. Lineup for entries will begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Muncie Central Fieldhouse parking lot, and the event will kick off at 6 p.m. 

Night-Before-St.-Patrick’s-Day Dinner Music with America’s Hometown Band

Vera Mae’s Bistro will again offer its annual Irish menu, “the night-before-St.-Patrick’s-Day.” The Walden Pond Band, the AHB Little Green Band and the Phil Cooley Jazz Combo will serenade guests with traditional Irish music. While the event costs $5 and reservations are needed, it is designed to be cost-effective for customers and could be the highlight of your celebrations. 

Guardian Brewing Company (21 and Older)

With the beginning of their fourth year as a business underway, brewers at Guardian Brewing Company will release a new beer specifically for St. Patrick’s Day: the Rosscommoner Irish Stout. In tribute to the holiday and its heritage, Guardian created a beer that is “as authentic an Irish Stout as one can get on this side of the Atlantic.” To add to the spectacle of the celebration, the Irish Stout will flow from two taps: a typical tap and a second filled with chocolate chips and mint. The bar will also offer an “affordable green beer,” Guardian’s 765 Premium American Lager, for those looking for something more traditional. Rounding off the day of fun Saturday, The Bashville Boys will perform from 8-10 p.m.

Starbucks

For those who can’t leave campus or just have a coffee addiction they need to satisfy, the Starbucks in the Student Center Tally will offer a matcha, mint and chocolate drink for St. Patrick’s Day. Two Ball State employees, Natalie and Megan, created the drink to help students celebrate the holiday in style. Titled “Irish You Were Here,” the special drink will only last from March 14-18.

McDonald’s

Every year, McDonald’s offers its minty milkshake for the holiday, and every year, it continues to extend the life of the green treat. This trip over the rainbow started almost a month before the actual holiday and will end a week after, giving milkshake-lovers more time to savor it. The Shamrock Shake debuted in 1970, and the chain continues to make it with the same vanilla soft-serve ice cream, mint syrup, green coloring and whipped cream. To help those wanting to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, McDonald’s has also added a “Shamrock Shake Finder” to its mobile app. 

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