St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Parties Abound

Have you ever wondered how St. Patrick’s Day went from a low-key religious holiday in Ireland to a massive public party in the United States?

It’s a long story.

But the bottom line is that St. Patrick’s Day marks the end of winter, and that’s a pretty good reason to celebrate.

St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, March 17, but there will be celebrations all weekend. Here are some of the larger ones:

Austintown Plaza: One of the largest St. Pat’s parties in the state always takes place in the parking lot of Austintown Plaza, 6000 Mahoning Ave. Sponsored by Frenchy’s Irish Pub and Grill, the event will be Sunday in a massive tent and also inside the pub. Doors will open at 5:30 a.m., and Irish food will be served all day. Three of the region’s most popular bands will keep the party going inside the tent: RDNA from noon to 3 p.m.; 80’s Proof from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and Old Skool from 7 to 10 p.m.

Quaker Steak & Lube, Sharon, Pa.: About a dozen bands will play in the party tent and on two other stages at this gigantic bash Sunday. There will also be Irish step dancers starting at 8:30 a.m. Doors will open at 6 a.m.

The Federal, 110 W. Federal St., downtown Youngstown: The restaurant and bar has been renamed Lucky Pints 110 in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and has been decorated for the holiday. The theme will remain in place through March 30. Dinner reservations can be made by going to the restaurant’s Facebook page. On Saturday and Sunday, The Federal will be open for adults age 21 and up.

Penguin City Brewing: The shenanigans will start Friday at Penguin City in downtown Youngstown, with a kickoff party featuring DJ Puff on Friday night. On Saturday, the annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and there will be an Irish buffet from 2 p.m. until sold out. Geo C and Tha Storm will take the stage at 8 p.m. The main event will be Sunday, of course, with live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, including performances by Steel Valley Pipe n’ Drum and County Mayo.

Crickets Bar, 1733 Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown: The party will rage on Saturday at Crickets. Live music will start at noon inside the bar with Seamus. It will then move to the patio, where Acoustic Jones, Triple Threat, Mane Atraxion and No Funk No Justice will tag-team the stage until 11 p.m.

Kravitz Deli, 3135 Belmont Ave., Liberty: This Jewish deli’s annual Corned Beef Festival actually started March 8 and will culminate with a full day of drink and food specials Sunday.

Steel Valley Brew Works, Boardman: The nightlife hotspot at Southern Park mall will be rocking Saturday, with The Locals live on stage at 9 p.m.

Urban Tap, 439 E. Market St., Warren: Urban Tap, the newest bar in downtown Warren, will go all out Saturday. The Beer Olympics will start at 4 p.m., pitting four-person teams against each other. DJ Marcus Aurelius will start the music at 8 p.m.

Shamrock Shuttle: Nine bars in Liberty and Girard will be the stops on the Shamrock Shuttle, which will start making a continuous loop at noon. There will be nine buses in operation, and participants can get on at any stop for free. Those who hit all nine stops and purchase a beverage at all of them will get a free T-shirt. Pick up a punch card at any of the  locations: Amen Corner, El Hefe, Belleria/Royal Gardens, Canterino’s, Chesty’s, Master’s Bar and Grill and Iron Mann Grille, all in Girard; and Shakers and Bull & Bear in Liberty.

Magic Tree, 7463 South Ave., Boardman: On Saturday, there will be live entertainment, including Irish step dancers, Steel Valley Pipes and Drums, The Scenic Route and Broken Reins, inside and also in the heated tent in the parking lot. On Sunday, Old Skool will perform inside from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., and RDNA will perform from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the tent.

Columbiana: The Clipper Day Tripper party shuttle bus will run from 5 to 10 p.m., making a loop that will include stops at Birdfish Brewing, Homestead, Sundog, Mexico City, Ill Will Brewing and Riser Tavern on the Links. It’s free.

Birdfish Brewing, Columbiana: The brewpub at 140 E. Park Ave. will have live entertainment from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Parade in Sharon: For family fun, look to downtown Sharon, Pa. That’s where the second annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday. New this year is The Lucky Leprechaun Dash – a fun run prior to the parade on the parade route. Participants are invited to dress up in green or gold and do the half-mile dash. It will start at 5:45 p.m. at Penn State Shenango and end at Quaker Steak & Lube. The parade will be followed by a Blessing of the Pets in the Quaker Steak parking lot, along with music and other festivities. Green fireworks will be set off at 7:30 p.m.

Pictured at top: Students from Rachel’s Tumbling of Sharon, Pa., do their thing at last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Sharon.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.