It’s on my Community Calendar, but I haven’t seen or heard any publicity regarding the event – which would be less than three weeks out. Shamrock the Rose will kick off on the Saturday morning of the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day.
This year, St. Paddy’s falls on a Monday, and those who are of a mind to celebrate the day sometimes have to rein in their Irish-ness when the date falls during the work week. So it makes sense to make a day of it, the Saturday before.
This is – to a large extent – why the Rose District renovation was undertaken. For decades, Tulsa has offered This-fest and That-fest anywhere from Brookside to the Blue Dome District to Guthrie Green. It doesn’t matter what the festival promotes. This-and-That-Fests are simply a way for residents to get out and enjoy themselves in a community’s park or gathering places. Positioning the Rose District as an arts and entertainment destination gives Broken Arrow residents a location closer to home to come out and enjoy part of a day.
Since I’m passing along information that has only been relayed verbally to me, I can’t state with authority what will be on Main Street from Broadway to Dallas. They are planning to block off that area to let pedestrians have free walking access. From what I understand, the south edge of the Rose District will feature a stage with live musical entertainment. From there north toward Broadway will offer vendor tents and tables. These sorts of festivals normally have food truck offerings and theme-related gift and clothing retail kiosks.
My guess is that a green-beer tent will be located somewhere along the blocks during the festival.
The bookstore participation is still up-in-the air, pending a little more information from the event planners.
But, it might be worth marking the date on the calendar or making a mental note. If it all goes off as the rumors have had it, then Shamrock the Rose will be shamm-a-rockin’ the Rose District – March 15th!