Downtown Claremore will offer three unique ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this March in the heart of the community.
The Bangers & Mash Lunch, St. Paddy’s Day Party and Pot-O-Gold Giveaway have been celebrated for years downtown and are back in 2018 better than ever.
“St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate in downtown Claremore,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street director. “Each event offers something different so it’s a fun day whether you participate in one, two or all three events.”
The Bangers & Mash Lunch and St. Paddy’s Day Party will both be on Friday, March 16 this year. The Pot-O-Gold Giveaway, which offers a chance to win $350 in downtown shopping “Green Bucks,” runs the first two weeks of March, and the winner will be drawn on March 16.
The events are sponsored by Pixley Lumber, presenting sponsor, as well as by supporting sponsors Boom-a-Rang Diner, Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority, Walke Brothers Meat Company, Wantland Law Firm and Kevin Fortna, CPA.
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Bangers & Mash Lunch
Now in its 10th year in downtown Claremore, the Bangers & Mash Lunch is one of Claremore’s favorite ways to enjoy lunchtime in the spring.
Running from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the lunch cost $7 for a traditional Bangers & Mash – or otherwise known as sausage and mashed potatoes. The meal also consists of a cookie and drink. The lunch takes place in the Claremore Daily Progress parking lot, 315 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
During the lunch, musicians will play at the stage to entertain the crowds. The Rogers State University Jazz Band will perform early in the lunch and the ever-popular Timothy O’Brian’s Celtic Cheer will play from noon until 1 p.m.
“When the sun is shining, there’s no better place to have lunch. The food, the music, the atmosphere and the celebration, it just makes for a great afternoon,” Jackson said. “We know professionals in town look forward to spending their lunch with us at the Bangers & Mash Lunch each year, so we chose to move it from St. Patrick’s Day to the Friday before to continue to provide that service.”
Following the lunch, a Not-A-Parade Irish Stroll will take participants through downtown alleys and sidewalks.
New St. Paddy’s Day t-shirts will be on sale for $15 during the lunch. Last year’s shirts will be sold for $10. Other trinkets and color-changing cups will also be available for purchase.
The color-changing cups are $5 and good for $1 off beer all night at the St. Paddy’s Day Party.
St. Paddy’s Day Party
Co-hosted with the Main Street Tavern, 116 N. Missouri Ave., for the second year in a row, the St. Paddy’s Day Party is a traditional St. Patrick’s celebration – complete with Guinness and all.
The party starts at 6 p.m. and will continue outdoors in the Tavern parking lot until 10 p.m. For guests who aren’t ready to call it a night, the Tavern will be open until 2 p.m. indoors.
Admission is free and open to the public of all ages. ID is required for a wrist band to purchase and consume alcohol, however.
“This is the second year we’ve partner with the Main Street Tavern, and it’s just really punched this event up a notch. We were blown away with the attendance in 2017 and are confident this year’s will be even better,” Jackson said.
The Tavern will be selling Guinness and Guinness Blonde, whiskey and spirits outside in the parking lot along with brat dogs and Irish bangers to eat. The full-service bar and Late Night menu will be available inside and on the patio.
Claremore Main Street will be selling water and pop for $2, along with T-shirts and color-changing cups. The cups are $5 and good for $1 off beer all night long.
On the RAK Tool Supply Stage, the Vintage Wildflowers will perform beginning at 6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the Goode Academy of Irish Dancers will wow the crowd. Capping of the night, Timothy O’Brian’s Celtic Cheer will make an encore performance, playing from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
“A lot of people have asked us why we decided to host it on Friday instead of during St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday,” Jackson said. “Our committee really weighed the options and decided we could host a better event on the Friday before than on St. Patrick’s Day itself.”
“We could provide more beer trucks, better bands and more volunteers and staff than we would be able to on March 17,” Jackson explained. “We’re where you can kick off your St. Paddy’s Day.”
Pot-O-Gold Giveaway
A downtown event isn’t complete without a shop-and-win component. The Pot-O-Gold Giveaway offers a chance to win “Green Bucks,” shopping dollars to spend downtown.
“We’re giving away a $350 Pot-O-Gold full of shopping dollars to one lucky winner,” Jackson said. “Visit any of the 13 participating downtown Claremore businesses as many days as you want between now and March 15 to enter.”
There’s no purchase necessary although some stores may provide additionally entries for purchases to increase the costumer’s chances. The contest began on March 1 and will continue through noon on March 15.
Green Bucks can be used at any of the participating stores like cash. Participating stores are: Bike About Bicycles, Boarding House Books, Boomarang Diner, The Cozy Cottage, The Cranberry Merchant, District on Main, The Farmhaus, The Haberdashery, LoliPop A Sweet Boutique, Outwest Home Décor, She Brews Coffee House Downtown, Thrift Harbor and Willow Tree Mall.
The winner will be announced at 1 p.m. March 16 during the Bangers & Mash Lunch but does not need to be present to win.
Two smaller giveaways worth $25 each will be given out during the lunch as well, and guests will need to be present to win those prizes.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering at any of the events should contact Jackson at or 918-341-5881.
Claremore Main Street is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the ongoing revitalization of historic downtown Claremore. With a focus on economic vitality, historic preservation and placemaking, the organization strives to secure downtown as the social and economic core of the community.