Five Cool Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
by Carrie Havranek
You know it’s coming. You can see the green starting to crop up. St. Patrick’s Day festivities are upon us, people. Here are five cool ways to celebrate St. Patty’s Day.
Celtic Classic Parade of Shamrocks, Bethlehem, Saturday March 17, 1pm. This is the second year for this parade in Bethlehem, and not only does it celebrate all things Irish, it marks the halfway point until the Celtic Classic in September. Parade route begins at 13th Avenue and Broad Street, proceeds east on Broad Street, turns right on to Main Street. It will go south down Main Street and conclude under the Hill-to-Hill Bridge. The festivities continue with an after party. The parade is really only the tip of the iceberg; there’s a whole slew of activities (March 11-17) comprising what Downtown Bethlehem Association is calling “Beth-lum Go Bragh.”
Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Allentown. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the parade and will take place on Sunday, March 18, at 2:30. However, you can watch the bands come together at 1pm at 19th and Tilghman Streets. There, they will perform together before lining up for the parade, which starts at the Fairgrounds track near the Liberty and 17th Street gate (Main Gate vicinity). It then proceeds west on Liberty, turns north on 19th Street and heads west on Tilghman Street to 25th Street. The whole shebang turns south on 25th Street to Liberty Street, and heads east on Liberty Street before it ends at the 19th Street gate at the Fairgrounds.
Can’t wait until next weekend? The Best Legs in a Kilt contest takes place this Saturday, March 10, at 5pm at Jack Callaghan’s Ale House in Allentown. The contest is open to men and women, and you can register up until 4:30 the day of the event. For more more information, please call 610-443-0429.
Zombie Leprechaun Night, Black and Blue, Easton. This chalkboard art detailing the beer selections is currently decorated with the scariest, most demonic leprechaun I’ve ever seen. Show up at this quirky restaurant and bar and restaurant in Easton, dressed as your own interpretation of a zombie leprechaun. Do not ask for green beer. If that’s too intense and you’re in Easton, Porters’ always welcomes kilt-wearers on St. Patty’s Day; deranged leprechauns need not apply.
Hunt for History, Bethlehem, Thursday, March 15, 4pm-7:30pm. Historic Bethlehem Partnership’s special series for children gets an Irish twist this week. Kids can try their hand at Irish handcrafts such as carding wool, spinning yarn and piecing together fabrics. According to the Historic Bethlehem Partnership’s web site, each child will take home a special pouch full of “end-of-the-rainbow treasures.” My money’s on leprechauns—but not the zombie kind. Admission is free for each child admitted with an adult who pays $7 admission; 1-800-360-TOUR.
Irish Comedy Tour, Bethlehem, Wednesday, March 14. You knew people of Irish descent were funny, right? Come have a laugh at Musikfest Cafe. Three comics will entertain the masses: Detroit native Derek Richards, Boston native Mike McCarthy and Keith Aherne, who hails from Dublin. Among them, they’ve appeared on Bob and Tom Show, Showtime, Comedy Central, Doors open at 6pm; show starts at 7:30pm. All active duty, retired military personnel, along with first responders, can purchase one ticket to this show and get one free. Tickets are $24.
What’s your favorite place to go for St. Patty’s Day?
Carrie Havranek is a writer in Easton who claims some Irish heritage along with Czech, Austrian, Hungarian, English and PA Dutch (a.k.a. German).