3 St. Patrick’s Day Events to Take Your Whip To in Houston

So you’ve got a new whip (or maybe you just have an amazing one,) and you want to take it out to celebrate the luck of the Irish this March. Well, before you get in the car and drive, here are few festivals and events that you may want to consider.

The Annual FM 1960 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Kicking off its 37th year, this annual event in Houston is full of excellent entertainment. You’ll want to get down there and park early, because streets will close around 1 p.m. The parade route runs from the Wells Fargo parking lot on Champions Forest Drive and ends at the Concert Pub North at Kuykendahl—and of course the parade route runs along FM 1960.

The parade is an ode to originality and creativity, as well green, more green, and St. Patrick’s Day. You may see things like hilarious floats, vintage cars and firetrucks, Clydesdales, and much, much more. Do you have a whip you think should be on display? You can always enter to be a part of the parade. Either way, here is the information you’ll want to have.

• Parade takes place Sunday March 15th, 2015 at 2 p.m.
• Parade happens rain or shine!
• Register by March 12th to be a part of the parade.
• Visit the vendor area, which is new this year. It’s located in the Home Depot parking lot at 4159 FM 1960 West. It will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Houston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This popular parade is the day before the FM 1960—so you might as well make it a nonstop entertainment weekend. While Sunday’s parade is more of a community vibe, Houston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade one is one of the largest in the nation. It is full of Irish spirit and beer-loving pride.  You’ll see green, and more green, some green with sparkles, and maybe a leprechaun if you’re lucky. This year marks numero 56, and the parade has partnered with Parking Panda to make finding a spot for your whip easier. Visit the parade website to get 15% off your parking reservation.

The parade route starts on Texas Avenue at the Clock Tower and ends at Lucky’s Pub at St. Emanuel Street and Rusk. It runs around two hours, and is full of more than enough entertainment, candy and green beaded necklaces to keep you happy. The details are as follows:

• The parade is Saturday March 14th, 2015 at 12 p.m.
• There is an after party and awards ceremony at Lucky’s Pub
• If you want to be a part of the parade, check the website for information.

6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Lucky’s Pub seems to be a hub of merrymaking for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day events. The festival is the icing on the cake. It takes place on the actual day and all three locations of Lucky’s will join in the epic party.  Now is the time to request your vacation day, because the festivities start in the morning and last the whole day. Drink green beer, eat Lucky Charms cereal, dance a jig with leprechauns and bagpipers, listen to live bands and DJs, and hang out with 94.5 The Buzz. Smart attendees will purchase the VIP Pot O’ Gold pass—it gives you complimentary food and drink and allows you into special VIP sections. However, the best part is restrooms dedicated solely to your pass—so you can avoid long waits when you have to go. Here are more details.

• Festival is at Lucky Pub’s Downtown, Cypress, and Houston Heights locations. It takes place Tuesday, March 17th, 2015.
• Advance tickets are available, including Leprechaun and Pot O’Gold passes.
• Opening times depend on location—check the Lucky’s Pub website to find out times for each spot.

Remember, if you celebrate too much, it’s better to leave your whip parked and take a cab or hitch a ride with a DD. This year’s St. Patrick’s celebrations in Houston are sure to be memorable—so have fun and party like the Irish.

* Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net. Photo by Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee