Whip up the green wardrobe because Manhattan's St. Patrick's Day festivities are right around the corner. Back in 1978, Rick Mann of KS State Bank and Sonny Ballard of Ballard’s Sporting Goods along with others had the idea to bring some life back to Aggieville during the slow spring break week. From there started the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Road Races. This year's event on March 19 will mark the 44th Annual event.
Road Races
The St. Patrick's Day celebrations kick off with Manhattan's oldest running events, the Shamrock 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk and the Marvin Hachmeister 10K Road Race. Whether you are looking for a non-competitive fun run around City Park or a challenging course throughout the streets of Manhattan and Kansas State University, this event has you covered! The 2-mile run/walk starts the event at 10 a.m. with the Marvin Hachmeister 10K race continuing the celebration at 10:45 a.m. Both races are USATF certified and help raise money for the Special Olympics and the Marvin Hachmeister Scholarship Fund. Each participant will receive a medal and t-shirt. These races draw around 1,500 participants each year. Will you be one of them? Register here.
Parade
Following the races, line the streets of Aggieville for the St. Patrick's Day Parade as it launches down Moro starting at 1 p.m. This year the parade will be led by Grand Marshall Sheryl Ballard. Sheryl and her husband Sonny were some of the key founders of this lucky event. The parade continues to grow with more than 50 floats each year. The Yard Art Classic Car Club, Purple Power Animal Welfare Society, and Manhattan Fire Department are just a few of the organizations that will be rolling down Moro on March 19th. If you are interested in participating in the parade, register here.
What's New?
Years of tradition continue this year but with a few new fun additions. Starting at 10 a.m. Kite's Bar and Grill will open up a beer garden on 12th Street in front of their building between Moro and the alleyway. Grab a drink while you cheer on the St. Patty's day runners or watch the green floats roll by. Plus everyone participating in the Road Races will receive a free beer at the finish courtesy of Kite's. However, the races aren't just for those 21 and over! Manhattan Running Company is also providing discounts for all kids that want to participate in the road races.
Come watch Aggieville flood with green on Saturday, March 19. Mark your calendars and make your travel plans because a good time awaits in Manhappiness!
