Lynch's Lair celebrates its second St. Patrick's Day with a parade!!!

Actually, we aren't throwing the parade… but, we'll be in it!   The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, The Reverend John Whalen McGee Division, of Grand Rapids is again hosting this annual event. While the parade format will be similar to years past, the parade route has been changed for 2006! The Parade route will start on North Division and head SOUTHWARD to Fulton Street, where it will turn EASTWARD and proceed to the parking lot of Park Congregational Church. Click here to see a map of the new parade route!  The change in the route was made, in part to assist in the goal of making the St. Patrick's Day Parade even more family friendly by ending the parade portion of the day's festivities near The Grand Rapids Children's Museum and The Grand Rapids Public Library. Both are planning special activities for parade goers at the end of the parade.

 

Our mascot, Liam the extra large Leprechaun, will be joined by some of his other leprechaun friends this year. Most notably, the "King of Leprechauns" who will be greeting kids at the end of the parade at the Children's Museum. Photo opportunities and face painting will be available at this location. Poetry readings and other activities are planned at the library.

 

This year's Parade Grand Marshal is Marty Allen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and stalwart supporter of The University of Notre Dame and Aquinas College. The 2006 Spirit of Ireland recipient is Local Family Court Judge Kathleen Feeney, who published a book called "Anna's Friends" to help parents and friends deal with a puzzling disease "Leigh's syndrome."  Judge Feeney wrote the book by documenting the loss of her own 20 month old daughter, Anna, to this mitochondrial disease.

 

We hope you will consider joining Liam at the 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Grand Rapids. The Parade begins promptly at Noon on Saturday March 11^th.  It's not too long to stand in elements, and this year you can warm up at either the Children's Museum or The Grand Rapids Public Library at the end! To see what last year's Parade looked like, visit our page dedicated to the 2005 St. Patrick's Day Parade!

 

Celtic Music Lovers are in for some real treats this season!

Everyone knows this is the best time of the year to have a huge selection of venues to go to and groups to hear if you enjoy Celtic Music. Even places that might not usually consider Irish Music will hire Celtic Folk Singers and Bands to compete for your entertainment dollars this time of year! We hope you've been tucking a little extra money aside, as this year; your choices go way beyond the normal St. Patty's Day fair! Lynch's Lair tries to keep up with all of the musicians and venues that will feature Celtic Music on our web page. We even have a special page dedicated just to Music and Entertainment on our web site all year round! There are so many options this year, we suggest you search that page for your favorite group or Pub, and then check their link from our page to get the latest information and schedules. We will however, list a few of our own special picks here:

 

True Irish Music doesn't come any more authentic than when sung by The Bard of Armaugh himself, Pat Woods!  Always a favorite in West Michigan, Pat will be featured in a fundraising show in Lake Odessa, MI on Saturday, March 18^th at the Lake Odessa High School Gym, beginning at around 6:00PM. It's an evening of Irish Entertainment that will also feature "Rare Combination" and local Irish Dancers. Our own, Liam the extra large Leprechaun will be there to meet and greet too! The cause is a good one; it's to help raise money to send some area teens to the "World Youth Day" in Australia next year!

 

All sorts of acts will be performing all over the area for St. Patrick's Day. Another favorite of ours is Thistle Head, who is scheduled to appear at Bennigan's on 28^th Street S.E. from 6-10PM on Friday, March 17^th.  We could go on and on… Like Lee Mulder who will be at three great venues on St. Patrick's Day! Visit our Music and Entertainment Page for more great groups, and find out where they'll be performing!

 

The Entertainment Doesn't End on St. Patrick's Day!

As announced in our last electronic newsletter, (we broke the story!) The Celtic Battle of the Bands is scheduled to begin on March 26^th at The Ionia Theatre! The line up is complete, and is filled with absolutely great Irish and Celtic entertainment. It's a short drive to Ionia, but well worth it when you see who will be appearing! Ticket prices are a steal, too! Only $7.50 per person or $20 per family for any of the three shows scheduled for Sundays, 3/26 - 4/30 & 5/21/2006. You can save even more by purchasing "value tickets" for all three dates at only $20 per person of $50 per family! All three shows begin at 2:30PM and run for at least 3 hours. You'll be out in time to enjoy one of Ionia's many great restaurants like Olivera's, Country Kitchen/Peppermill Grill or the "Lamplight Grill."

 

The Finale of the Celtic Battle of the Bands will take place on Saturday, July 22^nd, during the first ever "Celtic Music Festival" at the Ionia Free Fair. Winners from the three previous shows at the Ionia Theatre will be featured during the day, along with other Celtic Music acts not competing for the title. The Winner of The Celtic Battle of the Bands will be announced at about 7:00PM, and will get one final "victory set" at that time! It's a great day of Celtic Music, beginning with bagpipe bands in the parade earlier that day. What's even more impressive is… all of the Ionia Free Fair Celtic Music Festival activities ARE FREE! No tickets are required to see the acts on the E-Park stage, and there is no charge to enter the fairgrounds either! It's a great family day of Celtic Entertainment in the middle of a good old fashioned county fair! (One of the largest in the nation!)

 

After you've visited the Celtic Battle of the Bands Web Page you still need any more information, you can e-mail celticbattle@gmail.com . 

 

All of this Celtic Entertainment requires some Celtic Research! (And maybe some Celtic Attire!?!)

Lynch's Lair is your "one stop shop" for all of the Celtic Books, Music CD's, Gifts and Zany St. Pat's attire! We aren't normally a "gags and giggles" type of place, but once a year, we've just got to feature some of those crazy things people come to associate with the "fun" side of St. Patrick's Day. So, if it's a green sequin vest covered in shamrocks, or a green feather boa you're looking for, we might be able to help you. We can also assist you with distinctive, unique Irish and Celtic gifts for the more conservative holiday shopper! Books, artwork, recipes, Celtic Jewelry and Fragrances are all available, along with a moderate selection of men's hats and shirts or sweatshirts for adults. There are children's books and toys, and flags and windsocks to express your culture. Celtic crosses as well as a full line of Guinness licensed are also available. Won't you consider visiting Grand Rapid's only Irish gift shop when planning your St. Patrick's Day festivities!

 

And Finally, Just How Do You Pronounce Celtic???

We know how we prefer!  Here's a page that answers… "Is it KELTIC or SELTIC???"  You may be surprised!

 

 

The Lynch's Lair Electronic Newsletter is sent out to those who have visited our website and/or have demonstrated an interest in Celtic Music or Culture. If you have received this E-mail from Lynch's Lair, and wish to be taken off the mailing list for future Electronic Newsletters, simply send an e-mail with the word "remove" in the subject line to lynchslair@gmail.com If you like our newsletter, please share it with your friends by forwarding it to those who you think will enjoy it. Please be sure and let them know you are the one who sent it to them, by including a line like, "I thought you might enjoy this…"