St. Pat’s Irish Festival Returns on Sunday, May 6! It's a neighborhood event that began before midtown was midtown.
One of Detroit’s longest-running neighborhood events comes again to booming Midtown on Sunday, May 6.
The annual St. Pat Irish Festival was launched in 1978 to help St. Patrick Senior Center provide for elderly residents in the Cass Corridor. It has grown into an amazing celebration of Irish music, song and dance – and St. Pat’s has become Detroit’s largest activity center for older adults.
The festival runs from 1 to 9 PM at St Pat’s: 58 Parsons behind Orchestra Hall. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $1.00 for kids.
There’s entertainment on three stages, with groups including the Codgers, McSpillin and the F.O.U.I Chowder Society – plus dancers from the Ardan Academy, and dozens of fiddlers, pipers, singers and more. Friends of St. Pats and volunteers from Detroit’s Irish community staff multiple food booths and bars. You’ll also find the famous “Chair of Cheer,” a chance to win $10,000, kids games, and free car and bike parking
“It’s truly a neighborhood gathering,” says St. Pat Executive Director SaTrice Coleman-Betts. “Old friends join new friends every year to have fun and show support for the people who’ve spent their lives supporting us.”
The festival is the center’s major annual fundraiser. Proceeds help support a tremendous variety of programs including daily meals, health and nutrition services, transportation and advocacy, in-home assistance, day trips, activities and classes. Saturday dance and exercise sessions are now being offered before lunch. St. Pat’s provides services for over 2000 older adults from across metro Detroit.
For information about the center or festival, contact St Pat’s at 313-833-7080. Or visit www.stpatsrctr.org.