March 14 Weekend Preview, The Shamrock Edition

Well, this weekend we celebrate everyone’s Irish heritage whether or not you are Irish. Kansas City lays claim to the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade so get out and enjoy all the festivities KC has to offer. For all the St. Patrick’s Day activities Explore Kansas City has you covered. Click here for full coverage.
This weekend there are only two movies of note being released this weekend. The first is The Call starring Halle Berry. When veteran 911 operator, Jordan (Berry), takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl (Abigail Breslin) who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl's life.
The other movie is The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt's growing ego. But lately the duo's greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they've grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there's still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act—both onstage and off—if Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place.
This weekend is a bonanza for Kansas City sports fans. There are so many events this weekend that it would be almost impossible to not find something to see or do. First off there is the Big 12 Tournament. The tourney kicked off on Wednesday with the opening round of games, Thursday will be the quarterfinals, Friday the semifinals and Saturday will be the championship. The event has been played in Kansas City 11 times since the league began competition in 1996-97 - more than any other city in the Conference. So it is time to get your Jayhawk or Wildcat on (Sorry Mizzou fans you have to go to Nashville to catch your Tigers live).
Do you need more hoops action? Head over to Municipal Auditorium for the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. Games began Wednesday and conclude with the championship Tuesday, March 19th. See the nation's oldest college basketball championship, right here in Kansas City. See the new NAIA Kids Zone and the new courtside entertainment at halftimes and between games. It's fun for the entire family! For more info visit here  
Don’t forget about the Miller Lite Basketball Fan Fest in the Power & Light District. Come out for an all-day party just steps away from the action at Sprint Center and blocks away from the courts at Municipal Auditorium. The KC Live! Block and Power & Light District are in the middle of it all. Watch the games on the country's BIGGEST High-Definition Big Screen, plus enjoy team pep rallies, contests, games, giveaways, live music and more! This event is FREE to attend and open to all ages until 9 PM. Must be 21 years of age or older after 9 PM. For details, click here
There is also the Big 12 GameDay Street Festival Presented by Phillips 66. This is a free, interactive experience that features games, music, mascots, autograph opportunities and promotional giveaways.
The College Basketball Experience will host expanded hours during the month of March. Show your Big 12 Men's ticket at the door and save $2 on admission.
Saturday kicks off the Inaugural Big 12 5k Fun Run & Family Stroll. This 5k course will wind around downtown Kansas City through the Power & Light District. (Click here to see the course map) The overall male and female winners will receive $1,000 in FREE GAS from Phillips 66 and be recognized at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship final. Be one of the first 100 registered and receive a unique stocking cap. Strollers are welcome for this family-friendly event.
As far as the hometown teams this is also a big weekend. The Comets get things started this Thursday with the MISL Finals. For the first time ever, the Comets will play in the MISL Championship Series!
The Comets will face the Baltimore Blast at 7:35pm at the Independence Events Center. This will be the last time you can see the Comets in action this season – and the stakes have never been higher!
On Saturday join the front office for a CHAMPIONSHIP WATCH PARTY for the game in Baltimore at 6:30pm at Coach's at 103rd & Wornall.
The Mavericks host the Denver Cutthroats on Friday. There will be a Colt King Bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,500 fans and St. Patricks Day Jersey auction benefitting Community Services League.
Saturday night they take on the Quad City Mallards at the IEC. The first 1,500 in attendance will receive an orange seat cushion courtesy of American Family.  Then the team heads to Quad City to again battle the Mallards on Sunday afternoon.
On St. Patrick’s Day the Kansas City Renegades begin play in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League. Exciting indoor football action returns to Kemper Arena. So after the parade head on down to the West Bottoms for pre-game tailgating, entertainment and high-scoring football. The team has announced that after the first touchdown they are going to create a Harlem Shake video. Sooooooo bring your props, costumes and energy to the game and be a part of this epic movement!
May the luck of the Irish be with the Renegades.
If you want to get primed for the Renegades game you can head to Topeka on Saturday night to catch league rival, the Kansas Koyotes, as they begin play in the CPIFL. They host the Oklahoma Defenders at Kansas Expocentre with kickoff scheduled for 5:30pm.
The Topeka RoadRunners are on the road this weekend. They are in Odessa to take on the Jackalopes. As with all RoadRunners away games there will be a watch party at Blind Tiger Brewery.
Erin go Braugh