By Mamma Mia, our newest author. For more info check out her bio.
Okay, okay, so now you have children and don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day because it just isn’t the same if you can’t sit at the bar all day drinking Guinness and wearing a green leprechaun hat in your “Kiss me I’m Irish” tee shirt. Well, I’m here to say that you can still get your shamrock on, even if you have the leprechauns in tow!
Many of you in WC have children that will begin spring break March 17. And, I don’t mean Cancun spring break, I mean in your living room driving you nuts spring break. So, whether you’re Irish or not, slap some green on your lads and lasses and head for downtown West Chester, where you’re sure to find a pot of gold.
Green Goodies
For breakfast March 16 and 17, West Chester Scoop is serving up their yummy donuts topped with Irish Green frosting at .65 cents or $3.50 for a ½ dozen. If you purchase a cup of their freshly brewed coffee they’ll throw in a FREE donut for the entire month of March-sweet deal! In observance of Saint Patrick, they are also shaking up Andies Crème de Menthe ice cream and pouring all of its deliciousness into a cup for $3.50.
For all the moms and dads that need a caffeine fix, try Starbucks’ Finnegan’s Shake Coffee, “a creamy fun mix of peppermint white mocha.” Short $3.50, Venti $4.00, Grande $4.50. Serve it to your tweens caffeine-free and they will think you are the coolest.
Shamrock-shaped soft pretzels hot out of the oven are at the Philly Soft Pretzel Factory for $2.00 each.
Ricky’s Candy, Cones and Chaos has green jellybeans at $2.25 per ¼ lb and green M&Ms at $2.79 per ¼ lb to fulfill everyone’s sugar rush.
The only place that I could find my favorite St. Patrick’s Day sweet treat, Irish Potatoes, was at Giant and Acme for about $4.29 a box. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Irish Potatoes are creamy coconut balls rolled in cinnamon – mmm…they’re magically delicious!
I just couldn’t leave this last one off my list. I loved this as a kid and now it’s a St. Patty’s day favorite for my children. It’s the one and only Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s. So affordable at $1.79 for a small, $2.09 for a medium, and $2.89 for a large that no one has to share. Shakes all around!
Need to tire out those Lucky Charms of yours? Bounce them down to South Bolmar Street to The Jumping Monkey. On March 17 they’re handing out shamrock cookies and punch. A day pass will run you $8 per child and you, the adult, are free, so jump your you-know-what off! Make sure you check out all of their spring break events at www.thejumpingmonkey.net.
Jonesin’ for Spring
The perfect fusion of St. Patrick’s Day and spring can be found at Longwood Gardens on Sunday, March 16. The Terrace Restaurant will feature Irish cuisine with hot Rueben sandwiches made to order. A concert of traditional Irish music begins at Noon with a second performance at 2 PM. Admission for ages 5-22 years old is $6 (4 years and younger are FREE). Adults may enter the gates for $16 and seniors for $14.
Where to Kiss the Blarney Stone Outside West Chester
Who knew that animals celebrated St. Patty’s Day? Well, they are going to be doing the jig at the Elmwood Zoo Sunday, March 16. There will be face painting, crafts and the Coyle School of Irish Dance will perform at the Zoobowl Theatre. The animals will even get special shamrock cookies. Everyone wearing GREEN receives a $1 off admission. Prices are $6.50 for Seniors and Kids ages 1 to 11 and $9 for adults.
You could always ship the leprechauns off to Bowling Camp at The Palace, in Downingtown. Ten dollars per person will get you: 2 hours of bowling, shoe rentals, 2 slices of pizza and unlimited soft drinks! If you show some Irish pride (ie, wear green) you will earn a FREE game for another day, as well as be entered into a drawing for a “Bowling Shoes are Cool” t-shirt. Bowling times are 9 to 11 AM and 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM. Enjoy open bowling after camp from 1:30 to 6 PM at $3.50 per game. Reservations are always a good idea, so visit www.palacebowling.com.
May your blessings out number,
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
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