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Kalamazoo celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with downtown block party
Updated Mar 14, 2021;
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KALAMAZOO, MI For the second consecutive year, the St. Patrick’s Day parade was canceled in downtown Kalamazoo, but it didn’t stop the green beer from flowing.
Downtown came to life with live Irish music on Bates Alley, the North Kalamazoo Mall, and from the Kalamazoo State Theatre’s marquee. Hundreds of people dressed in green soaked in the sun as they strolled the Central Commons Refreshment Area. St. Patrick and Liam the Leprechaun appeared around town to spread charm and luck to those in attendance.
WMUK s Andy Robins speaks with Kalamazoo New Year s Fest organizer Becca Shemberger
One of the event s organizers, Becca Shemberger, says there are three ways to participate New Year s Eve. The first way is live and in-person. That s going to be outdoors on the North Kalamazoo Mall in front of Burdick s and the old Zazios right there. We re utilizing the steps to kind of make a stage, and we will have live performers there from 7 to 10:45.
There will be a deejay from then until midnight. People who attend in-person are asked to wear face masks at all times and follow social distance guidelines.
You have to give the organizers of Kalamazoo s annual New Year s Fest credit for trying to navigate the maze that producing an event like New Year s Fest this year involves. With all the Covid related rules and regulations changing every few days, this is quite an undertaking even to attempt. But the goal is to create an outdoor, strolling event, with music, magic, juggling, and exhibitions. Truthfully what is needed is some good weather.
That being said, admission buttons are on sale now at several locations all over the Kalamazoo area for the New Year s Fest celebration, which happens to be the 35th annual, for anyone scoring at home.