By Koy Flores
Whether you have a soul of gold or are just an avid partygoer, Irish on Ionia (IOI) is open to all adults, 21 and older, the day before St. Patrick’s Day.
Sponsored by the HopCat on 25 Ionia Ave. SW, in Grand Rapids, the 11th annual IOI event will be taking place on Saturday, March 16. It is a street festival that will run from Fulton to Oakes streets and across Weston from Ionia to Commerce avenues.
The event will feature dancing and singing from several music groups, including Bellfist Gin, Ironwood, Leprecons, and Stone Clover. There will also be DJ experiences by SNBNY, Keller Shaw, Slim Tim, Vanhekken, Drivingmisshazy, Jodi Dro, Konundrum, Collin Chaos and more.
As the event sponsor, HopCat is the only participating restaurant. It will feature a special St. Patrick’s Day menu, with Irish-themed food and drinks (and yes, plenty of alcoholic options). The night of the event, HopCat on Ionia will be accessible only to event guests, and not to nonparticipants. Food trucks will also be offering Irish-themed food and drinks during the event. In the past, there has been food from different cultures as well, including Mexican.
HopCat will be open from 11 a.m. that day until 10 p.m., and the event is running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., open for a 12-hour curtain.
Tickets are available for purchase online as well as at the downtown HopCat. General admission tickets will be $25. If you want to go to the event for the night only (between 6 and 10 p.m.), you can purchase a discounted ticket for $15. VIP tickets are up for $65. Guests must be 21 and older.
