Looking for a fun, family-oriented St. Patrick’s Day event that doesn’t involve swilling green beer or being ticketed by police for disorderly conduct, then head to downtown Oxford’s Centennial Park Saturday, March 14 for the annual stew stroll and treasure hunt from 2-4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, Oxford Bank and POH Regional Medical Center, the event will feature delicious stews from Red Knapp’s American Grill, Victoria’s Delights, The Oxford Tap, The White Horse Inn and Boulder Pointe.
Attendees are invited to purchase either small bowls ($1 each) or large bowls ($2 each) of stew to sample and savor, then vote on which one is their favorite.
‘It’s like the chili cook-off we had, but with stew,? said Holly Bills, the chamber’s executive director.
And don’t worry about the kids. There will be plenty for them to do starting with a free treasure hunt at participating downtown businesses.
Children ages 12 and under will have an absolute ball as they wander from shop to shop collecting little sacks filled with varying amounts of gold coins.
‘Having parents taking their kids around to the different stores will give them the opportunity to see what’s inside places they haven’t been in before,? said Chamber President Lynette Smith.
Whoever collects the most gold coins will win four tickets to see the Detroit Pistons.
Second place will receive a $30 gift certificate to Meijer while third place will enjoy complimentary movie tickets and popcorn at the Oxford 7 Theater.
Besides treasure hunting, the kids will also get to play games, have their faces painted and meet a real live leprechaun.
‘With everything costing money these days and nobody having a whole lot, we wanted to do something free and fun for the kids,? Bills said.