Best St. Patrick’s Day Events

Friday, March 11, 2011

Leah Michaels, GoLocalProv Contributor

Rhode Islanders of all backgrounds are full of the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, but sometimes they just want to celebrate without filling up on spirits. We’ve gathered the best places to get your jig on, cut loose like a leprechaun, and enjoy the traditions of good old Ireland without regretting anything the next day.

Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Rhode Islanders from all over the state are drawn to this grand tradition now in its 55th year. The math speaks for itself: 10 Pipe Bands, 12 Marching Bands, 4 Fife & Drum Corps, 3 Clown Units, 7 reenactment units, and an assortment of other organizations participating. After the approximately two-hour long parade, the St. Patrick’s Day Family Celebration (alcohol-free) starts, with drum performances, music, face painting, giveaways, Irish step dancing and a “How Green Am I?” contest. Make sure to wear your best green outfits. Saturday, March 12, parade starts at 11am at Newport City Hall on Broadway and ends at 1pm at Carroll Ave. at Saint Augustin’s Church. Family celebration at the “Hut” on Golden Hill St. behind the Newport Public Library. Rain or shine. More info here.

St. Patrick’s Day at Providence City Hall

Enjoy some casual Irish music and dance at this event, hosted by Mayor Angel Taveras and with guest speaker State Senator Maryellen Goodwin. There will be step dancing by the Goulding School of Irish Dance, bagpipes by the

Providence Police Department Pipes and Drums, and free corned beef sandwiches and Irish cookies. It’s a perfect place to stop by on a lunch break from work and get in the Irish state of mind before a potential night of partying. Thursday, March 17 at 12:30pm at Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance St, Providence.

The Big Event: Ireland at University of Rhode Island

Every year URI holds its Big Event culture festival to honor the culture and traditions of one country, and this year that country happens to be Ireland. Come have some free Irish stew, potatoes, and desserts, win some giveaways, and visit the student and community cultural booths and demonstrations. It is also being combined with an appropriate “Go Green Campaign” to focus on Environmental Conservation, so that the world can be just as green everyday as it is on St. Patty’s Day. Thursday, March 17, 10am-2pm, at Memorial Union Atriums 1 and 2 on the URI Kingston campus.

Learn the Secrets Behind Corned Beef and Cabbage

Ever been interested in making some hearty Irish food for yourself and/or your friends and family? Join the Blackstone Culinaria Secret Ingredient Food Tour at Doherty’s East Avenue Irish Pub in Pawtucket as they demonstrate how to prepare traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage. And obviously, you’ll eat a dinner of the same afterwards. It’s a fun

and educational way to celebrate the holiday before the big day. Wednesday, March 16 at 6pm. Doherty’s East Avenue Irish Pub, 342 East Ave, Pawtucket. Tickets $19.50 a person and can be purchased here.

St. Pat’s 5K Race in Providence

Come and down and cheer for your favorite runner (or run yourself if you’ve already registered) in the third and final race in the Tour de Patrick 5K. The Irish 5K in Pawtucket was on March 5, and the Celtic 5K will take place in Worcester, MA on March 13, but the St. Pat’s 5K promises to be the biggest and most exciting. Over 4,000 runners are registered and raring to prove that they have the most Irish pride. A parade will follow the race, and post-race celebrations are taking place at Ri Ra and Patrick’s Pub for those who don’t want the St. Patty’s Day festivities to end. Sunday, March 19 at 11:15am. The race starts and finishes on Smith St at the Rhode Island Statehouse. Parade starts at noon at Smith St and Hilltop Ave, Providence.

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