Being that St. Paddy's falls on a Tuesday this year, we can all look forward to a long, green, five-day lead-up to the holiday itself. There's lots to do this weekend and what may very well be a woozy start to the workweek, on Monday and Tuesday. Here are some of the best pub events and festivals to get you in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.
Bay Area Renaissance Festival: Shamrocks and Shenanigans BARF will celebrate America's favorite Irish holiday with a weekend-long celebration March 14-15. The RenFest's Shamrocks and Shenanigans weekend will feature Irish dancers and music, Celtic Village vendors, Irish heavy games and more. Irish music and dancing from the Tampa Bay Pipe and Drum will be featured as well as an encore performance of the Irish Heavy Games. More info at BayAreaRenaissanceFest.com.
Four Green Fields Irish Invasion The two-day celebration starts with a performance by Derek Warfield and the Young Wolf Tones at 8 p.m. on Mar. 16. The lineup on St. Patrick’s Day will feature Pat Dunlea, Cormac McGuinness, Peter Wrafter and another performance by Derek Warfield. The St. Patty’s Day celebration will also feature a lunch buffet of shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew and fish ‘n’ chips until 2 p.m. Admission is $10, or $22.95 for the buffet. $10. March 16-17, 8 p.m. Four Green Fields, 205 W. Platt St., Tampa. 813-254-4444. tampa.fourgreenfields.com.
Indian Shores St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival Browse vendors specializing in all things Irish — food, drinks, live music and art. Enjoy the day outside with more than 50 fine art, craft and food vendors along with Irish dancing, live music and youth activities. There will also be fine art and jewelry vendors inside the Town’s Municipal Building. Free. Sat., March 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores. 727-595-4020. myindianshores.com.
Ireland: Heart and Soul Pooka Irish Band (pictured, right) presents a 90-minute program of music, dance, and theater in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The musical menu will include traditional ballads, foot-tapping jigs and reels, and contemporary pub songs, while the Galway Workhouse Dancers, in 19th century costume, will spin and stamp their way through Irish dances. Actors will bring the wit and grandeur of the Irish spoken word to the program, from ancient folktales to modern drama. $10 admission for adults; $8, children under 12. Sun., March 15, 4 p.m. The Friday Morning Musicale Theater, 809 Horatio St., Tampa. facebook.com/PookaIrishBand.
Mighty Festival at Raglan Road at Downtown Disney Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is painting the town green with their Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival March 13-17. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration features cuisine provided by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, live music by Scythian, $3 Band, Reel Ó Gránde, Drops of Green, The Brayzen Heads and The West Coast Trio along with performances by award-winning Irish dancers. Celtic face painting is available from Noon until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. The Raglan Road Dancers perform throughout the Mighty Festival. Allow extra time for parking. Guests may find parking at the multi-level parking garage. Cover charge of $10 will apply to each guest 18 and over on March 17 only. Fri., March 13, 4 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; March 14-17, noon-1:30 a.m. Raglan Road, Downtown Disney, 1640 East Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista. 407-938-0300. disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney.
Mayor's River O'Green Fest The Hillsborough River will be dyed green again for the annual River O' Green Fest at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Expect Irish entertainment; games; children's activities provided by the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Fire Rescue, Lowry Park Zoo and more; food trucks and beer, and the Mayor of Tampa himself, Bob Buckhorn. Get your lunch on from Holy Hog, Whatever Pops, Renny’s Oki Doki, Nico’s Arepas, To Go and Fishin’ Chicken. Entertainment will be provided by Lucid Druids, Tampa Gymnastic and Dance Show Stars, Paddy O'Furniture, Scariff Hardiman School of Irish Dance.Pati O’Furniture emcees. And Kahwa helps keep the grown-ups caffeinated. Admission is free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. tampa.gov.
Mulligans Greenfest Tee off for the Mulligans Cup Golf Tournament before digging into an Irish buffet (starting at 4 p.m.) including corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash. The party also include a limited pub menu, green beer and music by Mickey Lorden and the Colvin Brothers. $50 (with tournament); cover after 4 p.m., 11 and younger free (without tournament); $14, $6 children (buffet). Tues., March 17, noon. Mulligan’s Irish Pub at Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regents Drive, Tampa. 813-973-3870.
O’Keefe’s St Patrick’s Day Tent Party DJ Screamin Scott will be entertaining with games, contests and giveaways to celebrate the holiday on March 17. Music by the Irish Buskers and Greg Billings Band. Irish dancers, bagpipers, face painting, a rock wall and a photo booth with a leprechaun will be onsite. Parking will be free at the Morton Plant Lot, off of Jeffords Street. Admission will be $5 per adults until 8 p.m., and then $10 per adult after 8. Police, Fire and Military get free admission with ID. Tues., March 17, 11-midnight. O’Keefe’s Tavern, 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. 727-442-9034. facebook.com/OKeefesTavern.
Paddyfest Two bars are teaming up for a four-day St. Patrick's event extravaganza that culminates with a big event on St. Patrick's Day. Head to Irish 31 and Ferg's Live for music each day; the Blarney Bike Ride at 1 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday (ride from Irish 31). At 2 p.m. on Saturday, you can dress up your furry best mate to a St. Pup-trick’s Costume Contest. The big event is at Ferg's LIVE. The newish venue owned by Jay Mize, also owner of Irish 31, is a spinoff of Ferg's in St. Pete. Ferg's LIVE licensed the name from Mark Ferguson (owner of Ferg's) and then gave it a new spin with a focus on live music and sports/events. Paddyfest is Irish 31's signature event. In previous years, Irish 31 closed off Rome in Hyde Park Village for a street festival. Instead of closing Rome this year, the bars are including Ferg's LIVE in the festivities and peppering events across all three venues (two Irish 31 locations and Ferg's LIVE) to make the party even bigger. The street festival normally on Rome will be replicated in the lot between Ferg's LIVE and Amalie Arena with a huge headliner stage, beer/liquor/food tents, a Fireball Ice Luge, and contests with great prizes. Plus live bands, of course. Cost is $15. irish31.com.
Paddyfest Family Fun Run Join in on a 1-mile fun run to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. The first 100 participants who sign in on the 14th with an item from the RMHC Needs List, will receive special gifts from the Florida Aquarium and McDonald’s in addition to their free ticket to the Ferg's Live St. Patrick's Day bash. Sat., March 14. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. Event starts at 10. After Party 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Irish 31 Pub & Eatery, 1611 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. irish31.com.
The Pub St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Head to International Plaza’s resident Irish pub for its annual bash starting at 11 a.m. on March 17. Enjoy Irish food, live entertainment and specials. Live entertainment includes bagpipers, the Black Velvet Band and more. No cover. Tues., March 17, 11-midnight. The Pub Tampa Bay, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. 813-443-5642. experiencethepub.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Peggy O’Neills Irish Pub An annual tradition, the two-day celebration of the Irish will feature a lineup of 13 bands, bagpipers, dancers, and food and drink specials. The Dunedin High School bag pipers perform March 16 at 4:30 p.m. Free. March 16-17. Peggy O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Eatery, 1026 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. 727-787-7734. peggyoneills.com.
Shamrock ‘n’ Run Kick off your St. Patrick’s Day in a fun and fit fashion with food, fun, friends and great live entertainment — in addition, of course, to a 5k and 1.5-mile walk. Following the races, all participants will enjoy a post-race meal, refreshments, drinks, award ceremony and live entertainment by the Luna Blue Band. Concert begins at 5:30 p.m. before the main walk and run at 7 p.m. Clover Kids Fun Run starts at 8:15 p.m. It all happens Fri., Ulmer Park, East Bay Drive, Largo. For more information, visit LargoSports.com, or register online at Active.com. Call 727-587-6740, ext. 5047, or email athletics@largo.com.
Saint Paddy’s Pub Crawl March 13-14; Tues., March 17. Starts at The Brass Tap — Ybor, 1600 E. Seventh Ave. #E-113, Tampa. 813-241-0000. brasstapbeerbar.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Bash at Mulligans Irish Pub Mulligans' North Pinellas is celebrating St. Patty’s day on the green with drink and food specials, kids activities and live music. Scott Fallon plays from 1-4 p.m., Ken Keller from 4-7 p.m., and the Slickside Band plays from 7-11 p.m. There will be a bounce house from 4-8 p.m. and a bagpiper in the afternoon. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. After 5 p.m. there is a $5 cover charge that includes a domestic draft or house wine. $5 cover after 5 p.m. Tues., March 17. Mulligans Irish Pub, 2990 Wentworth Way, Tarpon Springs. wentworthgolfclub.org/mulligans.
St. Patrick’s Day Trolley Hop Wear some green and get on board for the 12th annual St. Patrick’s Day Trolley Hop, sponsored by the Rough Riders. This year the pub crawl features four starting venues: The Spaghetti Warehouse, the Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Tequilas, and Channelside Bay Plaza. All proceeds go to charity. $20. Fri., March 13, 6 p.m.-midnight. rrtrolleyhop.org.
St. Patrick’s Day River Cruise Celebrate St. Patty’s day on the green Hillsborough River. Watch the water turn green for the annual Mayor’s River O’green as you eat and drink classic Irish fare. There are two trips on Mar. 14- the first departs at 9:30 a.m. and the second at 12:30 p.m. $49.95. Sat., March 14, 9:30 a.m.-noon. and 12:30-3 p.m. StarShip Dining Yacht, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 877-744-7999. yachtstarship.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Finfest Tent party has a $5 cover. The event March 14-17 includes live entertainment by local bands, Irish and otherwise (the Black Honkeys will not be held back!). Finley’s Irish Pub, 13477 Belcher Road S, Largo. 727-535-7858. finleysirishpub.com.
St. Practice Day Pub Crawl Tampa Pub Crawl is goin' Green with a twist this year by giving you a St. Patrick's Day practice run before the official St. Patrick's Day. Grab some green and get lucky on this returning tradition! The TPC Lucky Leprechaun's will be crawlin all over SoHo. Venues: 8 p.m., SoHo Tavern; 9:15, The Lodge; 10:30, MacDinton's and 11:45, The Drynk. With your ticket you'll receive admission to all participating venues, complimentary beverages will be served.. Admission is $15 March 5-13, $20 day of event. sohotavern.com.
St. Puppy's Day The Dubliner Irish Pub hosts a pet-friendly, outdoor festival to benefit the critters. Donate a 7-pound bag of pet food and get a free Irish beer. Attendees will enjoy a puppy parade and costume contest with prizes for the Most Irish Dog. The pub will be serving a brunch buffet with imported, traditional Irish breakfast items. There will also be HSTB adoptables, live music, Irish dancers and giveaways! Brunch lasts until 2 p.m. Sun., March 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The Dubliner Irish Pub, 2307 W. Azeele St., Tampa. thedublineririshpub.com.
The Sail's St. Patrick's Day Party The 360-degree bar with a waterfront view at 333 S. Franklin St. — located on Tampa’s RiverWalk, next to the Tampa Convention Center, will offer Irish food tents, green beer, DJ Bash and activities like a rock climbing wall, fun slide and more. Sun., March 15, noon-8 p.m. DJ Bash spins 2-8 p.m.
tampaconventioncenter.com.
3rd Annual Waterfront St. Patty's street party/Wearing O'Green at the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market If you're not stuck at work celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Gulfport Tuesday at the Fresh Market, O’Maddy’s and Salty’s Gulfport, on Tuesday, March 17. The market hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. along Beach Boulevard and the party runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. along Shore Blvd. facebook.com/gulfportfreshmarket.
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2015.