Best Ways For Kids To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2013 In South Florida

The long-standing Coral Gables Irish festivities will not be happening this year, but there are lots of other places to celebrate with your young leprechauns and have some family friendly fun. Parades, celtic dancers, bagpipes, kilts and all things Irish will come out to play on St. Patrick's Day in South Florida. Find a celebration that works for you and your youngsters.

Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festiva

Huizenga Plaza
32 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
www.ftlaudirishfest.com

Date: March 9, 2013

Start the day off with the Leprechaun Leap at 11 a.m. for a 1K family-oriented walk/run with the Running of the Leprechauns, followed by an Irish blessing ceremony at 11:30 a.m. to be held at Huizenga Plaza. The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at noon and runs west along Las Olas Boulevard from S.E. 6th Avenue to Riverfront. Highlights include floats, bagpipers, stilt walkers, pipe and drum and a variety of marching bands, Irish dancers, classic cars, star athletes and celebrities, veterans groups and much more. Then stick around Huizenga Plaza and along the Riverwalk for live music, Irish dancers, a Kids Zone that includes bounce houses, face painting and balloon artists, pony rides, a petting zoo, a train, games and lots of fun for everyone.

Florida Renaissance Festival

Quiet Waters Park
401 S. Powerline Road
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
(954) 776-1642
www.ren-fest.com

Dates: March 16-17, 2013

Step back in time and celebrate St. Patty's Day at the Florida Renaissance Festival in Deerfield Beach. This year, the festivities are staying open for an extra weekend to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: "We're Going Green." The St. Patrick's Day weekend will have a crafts village that includes glass blowing, hammered pewter, wooden toys and more, along with performers, hearty food, rides for the kids and special Irish events.

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Irish Fest 2013

Meyer Auditorium
140 Datura St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33410
(954) 946-1093
www.Irishflorida.org

Dates: March 9-10, 2013

Join the fun for two days of Irish festivities including Irish dancers, lots of Irish music, a U2 tribute, pub tent, children's activities, Irish food and drink, an authentic Irish marketplace for gifts and treasures and fun for the entire family. Sunday morning will feature a Gaelic mass at 11 a.m. There will also be games, crafts, storytelling and shows for the kids.

Downtown Hollywood St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival

Begins at 21st Ave. and Harrison St.
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 921-3404
www.stpatricksparade.com

Date: March 10, 2013

Wear your green and be ready for a full day of St. Patrick's Day festivities on Sunday, March 10 in Hollywood, Florida. The parade starts at 1 p.m. and goes down Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street. The free celebration includes live music, bagpipers, Irish dancers, kids games and crafts and yummy Irish food and drink like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie and green-colored drinks

Miami Children's Museum

980 MacArthur Causeway
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 373-5437
www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

Date: March 17, 2013

For the younger crowd, admission to the Miami Children's Museum will include St. Patrick's Day-themed arts and crafts, a shamrock scavenger hunt and lots of fun exploring the museum. Dress like a leprechaun or just wear green for a special surprise.

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Transplanted from Denver, Colorado to Orlando, Florida, Larraine Stacey spends much of her time traveling all over Florida and cruising the East Coast. A certified International tour guide and former travel agent, Larraine loves researching travel destinations and sharing travel tips with others. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.