St. Patrick's Day - 2012

The Parade has marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, police and fire vehicles, government dignitaries, floats, and the Arizona Irish Colleen with her Court. After the parade, the festival begins. Central Phoenix.

The focus will be on food, music, and fun at the St. Patrick's Day festival in Fountain Hills. Yes, the famous fountain will turn green!

Flogging Molly appears in Arizona for the St. Patrick's Day concert at Tempe Beach Park from noon until midnight. Flogging Molly blends traditional Celtic sounds with hard-edged punk. Also scheduled to appear: Roger Clyne And The Peacemakers, Suedehead, Sean Wheeler & Zander Schloss, Inept Hero, Halocene, Black Bottom Lighters, Westcott Avenue. Ticket prices $35 (advance), $40.00 (day of show) plus applicable fees for general admission tickets.

The Spark of Hope Foundation and Tempe Firefighters Local 493 also present the Flogging Molly/St. Patrick’s Day Raffle, benefiting the Tempe Impact Education (TIE) Foundation and their Beans & Rice program, which provides 120,000 meals to families in need during the month of December. Raffle tickets are available for a suggested donation of $2 through March 10, 2012 at the Spark of Hope office (425 S. Mill Ave. #301 - Tempe, AZ 85281). Individuals who purchase a raffle ticket will be given a special link and promo code to receive a discount on tickets to the Flogging Molly St. Patrick’s Day Bash ordered online, while supplies last.

Live local bands all day. Evening headliner: FILTER. $10 Presale. $15 at the gate. Free parking all day and overnight with security to reduce drinking and driving. Age 21+ with valid I.D. Raffle for a trip for two to Dublin, Ireland. Proceeds are going to Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development. Gates open at noon, close at 2 a.m. Presented by 98 KUPD and Tempe MarketPlace along with San Felipe's Cantina, Cadillac Ranch and D'arcy McGee's Pub. Tempe Marketplace.

Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Westgate City Center in Glendale, Arizona. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a 17K or 8K run/walk. The 4K "Four Leaf Clover Run/Walk" is for kids and leashed pets. Awards will be given out in the following categories: best St. Patty's-themed running outfit, top Dads & Lads team, and cutest Pet.

The luck of the Irish abounds when Irish Republic celebrates St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 from noon until 2 a.m. at the west side of AJ Chandler Park in downtown Chandler. A bounty of Irish good fortune awaits you with games (cabbage bowling, beer pong, bean bag toss, a dunk the leprechaun tank), live entertainment, traditional food and pints of beer. General admission is $10, presale tickets are available for $8 and designated drivers will get in for $5. $40 VIP access ticket includes general admission, all access lanyard, exclusive entry into VIP area with catered food and treats, no lines and access to private restrooms. The live entertainment lineup includes Take Cover, Kung Fu Grip, Insomniacs, Mike Mercier and DJ Hanzerelli. From noon until 5 p.m. all ages are welcome. Children age 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. After 5 p.m. it's 21 and over only. A portion of the proceeds from the Irish Republic St. Patrick’s Day Festival will benefit Chandler Fire Honor Guard, Pipes and Drums.

The bash will be held at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale in the two-level Showroom. Guests will enjoy top notch entertainment on stage along with a fun-filled costume contest with cash & gift prizes for best Irish Lad and Best Irish Lass. Two full bars with cocktails specials starting at $6 for house wines and well drinks; gon stage you'll see SmashT, a 5-piece high-energy party band performing an entertaining blend of classic and current favorites; DJ KILO, who will be keeping the guests on the dance floor all night long in between the band breaks; costume contest at midnight: Best Female Irish Lass and Best Male Irish Lad. Costumes are optional and not mandatory to attend this event. $15/person at the door and in advance through the Talking Stick Box Office 480.850.7734. Table reservations offered.

The Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix presents a celebration of Irish music:

• Thursday, March 15 - A Celebration of Celtic Culture from noon to 3 p.m. in the Main Courtyard. Free with museum admission. Tramor/Overseas is the new, traditional music project of John Good, Brid Dower, Liz Warren, Billy Parker, and Greg “Sule” Wilson.
• Thursday, March 15 - Music in Motion, featuring Trotters Wake from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Main Courtyard. Free with museum admission or $7 for performance only. This five-piece acoustic Irish band breathes new life into traditional Irish music with their unique blend of vocals and lively mix of new and old Irish songs. Drink specials include the Emerald (Irish whiskey, vermouth, orange bitters, and orange peel) and select wines, which may be purchased at $5 each. Guinness and Harp beers will be available at $3 each.
• Saturday, March 17 - John Doyle, Karan Casey, and John Williams at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the MIM Music Theater. Tickets: $32–$36. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with three superstars of Irish music. Karan Casey (vocals), John Doyle (guitar), and John Williams (accordion/concertine), founding members of the legendary Solas, will come together for a special group engagement.

Celtic-inspired dishes will be available for purchase in the MIM Café March 14–18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. bring the family to an Irish Spring at the Farm. Pony rides, petting zoo, and Irish stories and songs on a hayride. Wear green and get a free keepsake photo. Games and contests, including a Chicken Chase, Irish Cupcake Jig, Wheelbarrow races, grab the goat, gunny sack races. Children must be 3 to ride the ponies. All children under age 18 must have a waiver signed by their parents. Horse Trail rides must be reserved in advance. They are about 20 minutes long. Mother Nature's Farm, 1663 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert. Cost: $10 (in advance) per child; adults and kids under 3 are free when accompanied by a paying child, otherwise, $5 (must reserve in advance). Older kids/Adult Horse Trail Ride: $12.50 (in advance). Free parking.