THINGS TO DO

Cloverload: 4 days of St. Patrick's parties around Indy

By Rachel Rubenstein

Star correspondent

Six-year-old Charles McCormick gets into the spirit, dressed as a leprechaun, as he came out to watch the 33rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Indianapolis on March 15, 2013.

You know how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

But with the holiday falling on a Monday, the pressing question is when?

Based on this calendar of events, the answer is early.

Hoosier Lottery Greening of the Canal

McCrackin has been a leprechaun for Indianapolis' St. Patricks Day celebration for more than 30 years.

5 p.m. March 14, Ohio and West streets, free,www.indystpats.com.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by making the Downtown canal run green. Put on your green outfit and join the fun for live music, dancing, celebrity appearances and prizes.

St. Patrick's Day Trifecta at The Rathskeller

The Rathskeller Beer Garden will be much more crowded than this come St. Patrick's Day.

8 p.m. March 14, 15 and 17, The Rathskeller, 401 E. Michigan St., free,www.rathskeller.com.

Hit a trifecta at The Rathskeller, including live music on Friday and Saturday and the 17th annual Indianapolis Downtown Irish Fest on Monday. Monday's festivities begin at noon with live music all day and into the night, along with authentic Irish food and drinks.

Brockway Pub Four-Day Celebration

Contruction workers pull a pumper truck in the parking lot of the Brockway Public House on St. Patrick's Day, 2009.

Times vary March 14-17, Brockway Public House, 12525 Old Meridian St., free,www.facebook.com/thebrockwaypub.

On Friday, join the tent party just south of Brockway Pub for live music when you get off work. Don't party too hard because kegs and eggs starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, followed by a firetruck pull on Old Meridian at 2 p.m., traditional bagpipes and drums at 3 p.m., then live music into the evening. On Sunday, dance the night away to tunes from DJ Ryan Paul. If you aren't worn out by Monday, catch My Yellow Rickshaw at 4 p.m. to finish out the four-day weekend.

Mo's St. Patty's Two-Day Bash

8:30 a.m. March 15 and 17, Mo's Irish Pub, 13193 Levinson Lane, Noblesville, $10 per day at the door, $15 presale two-day wristband,www.mosirishpub.com.

Start each day of the celebration at 8:30 a.m. for Kegs and Eggs until 10:30 a.m. On Saturday, bands will be playing inside and outside all day and night, with special guest Nikki Reed from WZPL. On Monday, bands including The Bishops and Jai Baker Band start at 1:30 p.m., with WZPL's Dave Smiley making a guest appearance at 7 p.m. You can expect plenty of prizes, giveaways and fun all day and night.

23rd Shamrock Run and Walk/Shamrockin' The Circle

John Cusack and Lisa Forester try to stay warm minutes before the beginning of the 2007's Shamrock Run and Walk.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15, Monument Circle, $25,www.indystpats.com.

Join thousands of Hoosiers participating in either the 4-mile run or 4-mile fitness walk, which starts at Monument Circle and goes to Fountain Square and back. If you want to watch the start/finish lines or celebrate, there will be a beer garden open on the Circle, along with food at the Columbia Club.

2014 Shamrock Shuffle presented by Merrill Lynch

10 a.m. March 15, One Center Green, Carmel, $25-$40,www.planetadventurerace.com/races/shamrock-shuffle.

The Shamrock Shuffle is a 5K, 10K and 15K that benefits Tatum's Bags of Fun. This is a nonprofit organization that distributes backpacks filled with age-appropriate games, toys and activities to every child diagnosed with a form of cancer in Indiana. Before and after the race, enjoy the Beer Garden if you're over 21 or the Fun Zone for kids, complete with a bounce house, face painters and balloon makers.

St. Pat's Pub Crawl

Noon until 6 p.m. March 15, South Meridian Street, $20 (includes admission, three drink tickets and drink specials),https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-pats-pub-crawl-indianapolis-tickets-10204216085

This is the second year for the St. Pat's Pub Crawl, which had 1,600 participants the first time around. Leave the driving for someone else and go on this green-themed bar crawl instead, which promises to be a great time full of shenanigans.

Blarney Bash on Georgia Street

Noon to 10 p.m. March 15, Georgia Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets, free, www.indydt.com/blarneybash.cfm.

It's easy to tent-hop here for green beer and Irish spirits courtesy of The Pub Indianapolis, Howl at the Moon, and Kilroy's Bar & Grill. Local bands My Yellow Rickshaw and The Flying Toasters provide the entertainment for those 21 and older.

Shamrock 5K Beer Run

3 to 6 p.m. March 15, Georgia Street, $70 plus $4.20 sign-up fee, http://uplandbeeradventures.com/event/shamrock-run.

You'll start with a toast and 3 ounces of Upland Wheat and another 3 ounces of a different Upland brew waiting with each kilometer raced. Cross the finish line to collect your medal and an Upland pint glass. Register by March 12.

Mo's Irish Pub Shamroc5k

8:30 a.m. March 15, Hamilton Town Center, Noblesville, $34, http://shamroc5k.com.

Before you start drinking, start your day with a 5K. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Simon Youth Foundation, a charity that ignites hope through educational opportunities for students at risk of dropping out of high school. All runners 21 and older will receive a free wrist band for the St. Patty's Day Tent Bash.

Inaugural Irish Roots Family Night

3 to 7 p.m. March 16, Pine Acres Farm, 1115 E. County Road 100 N., Fortville, $7 adult, $5 child, www.facebook/PineyAcresFarm.

The whole family can enjoy this pre-St. Patrick's Day party with culinary offerings ranging from samples of Irish food favorites to authentic Celtic meals. Kids can learn about potato farming and have fun with games, crafts, hayrides, face painting and a petting zoo.

Lathan and Lathan

12:15 to 1:15 p.m. March 16, Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St., free, www.indyartsguide.org/event/detail/441806402/Lathan_and_Lathan_

Get in the St. Patrick's Day spirit at the Artsgarden with the Lathan and Lathan duo playing traditional gigs, reels and songs of Ireland.

34th St. Patrick's Day Parade

High school bands, floats, Catholic schools, Irish dancers, bag pipes, drum bands, Irish organizations and dignitaries will march in the 34th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Indianapolis starting at 10 a.m.

11:30 a.m. March 17, Vermont Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets, free, www.indystpats.com.

Comprising high school bands, floats, Catholic schools, Irish dancers, bagpipes, drum bands, Irish organizations and dignitaries, the parade is a sight to see. The parade also hosts a festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with live entertainment, food, interactive displays and a beer garden in the middle of the route.

McGinley's Golden Ace St. Patrick's Day Celebration

11 a.m. to close March 17, McGinley's Golden Ace Inn, 2533 E. Washington St., $5, http://goldenaceinn.com/index_files/Page431.htm

McGinley's is Indy's oldest Irish pub, and it pulls out all the stops for St. Patrick's Day. Featuring a huge heated tent, McGinley's hosts entertainment direct from Ireland, one act that was raised in Ireland and Wild Eye Rose Band, a six-piece Celtic rock band in Indy. Don't forget your cash, because McGinley's doesn't take cards.

Manley's Irish Mutt St. Patrick's Day Tent Party

4:30 p.m. March 17, Manley's Irish Mutt, 7041 E. 10th St., free, www.facebook.com/pages/Manleys-Irish-Mutt/191564824209283

Hear tunes from bands such as Blue Collar Bluegrass, or stick around until the night closes with dueling pianos. The tent party is cash only, so stop at the ATM on the way.

St. Patrick's Day at Claddagh

The Claddagh Irish Pub doesn't need luck to draw crowds for St. Patrick's Day.

Noon to 1 a.m. March 17, Claddagh Northside, 3835 E. 96th St., $5, www.claddaghirishpubs.com.

Straying from the traditional tent party, this year Claddagh is keeping everyone warm by hosting its annual party indoors. Come by for three bands and a bagpiper, including Chris Oaks and Branch Gordon, Irish Airs and Steve Smith. If you get hungry, grab a bite of traditional Irish fare from Claddagh's special limited menu.

St. Patrick's Day Parade Block Party

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17, Vermont Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets, free, www.indysportsfoundation.com/stpatsnew

Wear your green, and head Downtown for this celebration, which kicks off with free donuts and coffee from Village Pantry and moves on to a beer garden, food booths and entertainment featuring Highland Reign. All proceeds benefit the Indy Sports Foundation.

Fiddle 'n' Feet

12:15 to 1:15 p.m. March 18, Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St., free, www.indyartsguide.org/event/detail/441807648/Fiddle_N_Feet

Fiddle 'n' Feet is Jamie Gans on fiddle and Tamara Loewenthal on feet, presenting percussive dance and traditional music from North America and the Celtic countries. Watch them dance, sing, play fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, jaw harps and more while engaging the audience with movement and sound.

An Evening with Eunan McIntyre, with special guest Jeff Foster

7:30 p.m. March 20, Marian University Theatre, 3200 Cold Spring Road, (317) 955-6000, $10 students, $20 adults, http://marianuniversitytheatrepresents.brownpapertickets.com.

Close out the St. Patrick's Day celebration by enjoying an evening with this award-winning Irish singer/songwriter.