By Shawn Jennings
You don’t have to be Irish to get in on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities! There are so many fun and crazy ways to honor the day, satisfy your cravings, and make some lasting memories. America initially embraced St. Patrick’s Day in 1762 with a parade in New York City. Today, we commemorate the day with authentic Irish food and brews, parades, pageants, live music, and pub parties. There are many traditions that the entire family can take part in to make the holiday special, both here in Lexington County and beyond. Be sure to cover your body in green attire so that you will be invisible to the mischievous, pinching leprechauns!
Town of Lexington’s Shamrock Festival
Whether you are planning on taking your furbaby for a stroll around town, participating in family-friendly festivities, or going out for corned beef and cabbage with friends on Saturday, March 9th, we have a complete day of fun planned for you! Get started at the Icehouse Pavilion with the Shamrock Festival Kids Zone beginning at 10:30 am. After lunch, put on your best Irish gear, drive, or walk to Main Street and join the Shamrock Family Fun Parade at 3pm! Once the parade traffic clears, walk over to the Icehouse Amphitheater for the Shamrock Festival Concert featuring Rattle and Hum: A U2 Tribute Band. Bring your chair or blanket and find your seat by 4:00 pm. But the fun doesn’t end there–gather with friends at O’Hara’s Public House and end the day listening to Interstate Exiles perform at the Shamrock Festival Afterparty at 7:00 pm.
Are you interested in a road trip to find that elusive four-leaf clover? Here are some great ideas to start your journey:
Green River Revival
Grab your gear for a day of floating and boating! The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina will host the Green River Revival on March 16th. This celebration blends adventure, music, and community as its resident leprechaun magically transforms the river to bright green.
Quintessential Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Experience
You might be surprised to learn that Savannah, Georgia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in America, behind New York City and Chicago. Approximately 280 floats will wind through the streets of Historic Downtown Savannah on March 16th as Forsyth Park begins “The Greening of the Fountain”; the Savannah River flows too quickly to maintain a green hue.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade or Twilight Cruise
After an IrishFest Concert at Celebration Park in Hilton Head, board the Spirit of Harbour Town and take a ferry ride from Hilton Head to Savannah, Georgia. Enjoy drinks, an open-aired upper deck, and a climate-controlled cabin with restrooms as you sit back and relax in the ambiance of one the most scenic southern tours on March 17th.
Wherever your shiny, buckled-boots take you on St. Patrick’s Day, remember to enjoy celebrating and please drive responsibly as you make your way home. May the luck of the Irish be with you!
