How about dancin' a jig?
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
St. Patrick's Day is a big deal here in Green Country. The luck of the Irish is on display, loud and proud. Ever wonder where that term came from? Also, why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s day? It is to make you invisible to leprechauns who pinch anyone not wearing green. This evolved into the tradition of the Luck of the Irish, who were lucky to escape the pinches of the mischievous elf.
Now that I know, I'm going to be on the lookout for those pesky green meeny men.
Before we get to the activities, let's do a little digging into the green past of Tulsa's Irish ancestry and how they came to settle here. My interest stems from my maternal ancestor's surname: McDaniel. Or is that Scottish? Hmm. I believe the people who emigrated from the Emerald Isle to Green Country were known as the Irish who joined the Scots to become Scots-Irish.
Let's follow the migration and discover why this happened. Originally, the Scots-Irish moved first from the Scottish Lowlands to Northern Ireland during the seventeenth century at the behest of the English, who desired them to act as a Protestant colonizing force among Ireland’s native Catholics.
Then, in the 1800s, the Great Potato Famine propelled the people toward starvation. This prompted the immigration to America. The Scots-Irish moved inland to follow the Great Wagon Road to Virginia and ultimately Kentucky where my people came from.
In addition, a number of Scots-Irish intermarried with the Cherokee and Choctaw Native peoples and traveled to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. This was the inhumane relocation of Native tribes from federally protected lands because of the discovery of gold deposits.
Other Irish participated in the Great Land Run of 1899 that further displaced the Native tribes. No matter which way the Irish traveled to Oklahoma they moved from an isle of green to what is now a land of green.
I think they are here to stay, and the Scots-Irish do like to celebrate their green history. I believe it is time to dive in to our list of scheduled activities and celebrations in and around Tulsa.
* For the comedy lovers out there, we have the St. Patrick's Day Pants Optional Comedy Improv Virtual Happy Hour 6 pm, EST - FREE!
* For the outdoor lovers of nature, I found The Gathering Place which is the premiere outdoors entertainment venue in Northeast Oklahoma that hosts trails, parks, gardens, skate areas, and eateries. It is located along the banks of the Arkansas River just west of downtown Tulsa.
* For the kiddos ages 6-12, Hicks Park is sponsoring a St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt for the leprechaun's gold. Stop by Hicks Park for a good old-fashioned treasure hunt and pick up an activity sheet and find the items on the list outside! Bring back your finished sheet for a prize. Free for all ages.
* For the imbibers of the green spirits, you can visit numerous havens hosting the green goblets of brew.
- St. Patty's at Albatross with DJ Matt hosted at The Albatross Sporting Lounge.
- St. Patrick’s Day at Dead Armadillo hosted at Dead Armadillo Brewery.
- St. Patrick's Day Party with Finnegan's Awake hosted at Gathering Place.
- St. Patrick's Day Sip & Shop at The Market | Drawings every 30 minutes! hosted at The Market At Walnut Creek.
- St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans hosted at Downtown Tulsa.
- St. Patrick’s Day Party hosted at Touchdown Bar Tulsa, OK.
- St. Patrick's Pint Night hosted at NEFF Brewing.
Use your imagination, make it fun, have a day out with your friends and family. If you need help ask the good Google fairy, she will be happy to help!
Remember, above all else--stay safe. Lift up your head follow the rainbow, who knows, you may glimpse a glimmer of gold.
p.s. I don't care what anybody says, I am STILL gonna wear a mask.