St. Patrick’s Day Events in San Diego

Some major holidays have already come and gone for 2012, but if it makes you green with envy that your New Year’s lacked some luster, your Valentine’s Day fell a little flat, or you missed National Pi Day, then this weekend you’re going to get the chance to redeem your faith in the holiday season.  That’s right, it’s St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday and San Diego has a wide variety of events for someone who will be crawling or stumbling around the town.  Whether you want a family fun parade, a sample of Irish cuisine, or a day of drinking Jameson Whiskey chased with green beer something in San Diego is out there to suit your taste.

ShamROCK

“Rain (Irish Mist) or Shine” ShamRock will be held this Saturday on the streets of Gaslamp from 2:00pm to midnight.  It’s their 17th year putting this on and they’re going big.  Predicting over 20,000 people to attend the green carpet is going to be laid down on the streets of Downtown.  In honor of St. Patrick’s Day 80,000 square feet of Astroturf are being brought in to “turn the Gaslamp quarter into an urban, chic version of the rolling hills of Ireland.”  Besides decorations the event will have three live entertainment stages that will host bands, your favorite Los Angeles and San Diego DJs, and even 25 Irish River Dancers.  The big attraction however will be the 150 ft Irish Pub recreated on the streets of the Gaslamp that will have lots of beer and Jameson Irish Whiskey!  The event takes over part of Downtown and takes place on 6th Avenue between E and G streets, F Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, and G Street between 6th and 7th Avenue.  Tickets range from $30 to $45 and the proceeds benefit the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival

Brought to you by the Irish Congress of Southern California the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival will take place this Saturday in Balboa Park.  Starting at 10:30am the parade boasts over 120 parade entries and thousands of people in attendance.  Making up those 120 entries are a variety of groups that include Marching Bands, Floats, Police and Fire Department units, the Emerald Societies, Clowns, equestrian entries, Border Patrol units, Scout Troops, bagpipe contingents, dancing groups, drill teams, roller skaters, antique cars, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, representatives from Ireland, and the reigning Miss Colleen and Smiling Irishman.  As the ICSC has planned the Parade “steps off at 10:30 a.m. from Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street, travels north on Fifth Avenue to Upas, then over to Sixth Avenue and South on Sixth to conclude at Juniper Street.”  The event will be a day the whole family will love as they get a glimpse of the culture of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day 10K

For those who want to spend St. Patrick’s Day raising money in support of Rady’s Children Hospital and get a nice workout in during the morning hours the St. Parick’s Day 10K Run and 2-4 mile Run/Walk starts at 7:45am this Saturday at Mission Bay Park in San Diego.  The cost of the event is $40 for the 10K, $30 for the Walk/Run, and $15 for kids.  Benefits of registering include a free t-shirt, pizza and beer, entry into a drawing for gifts, and there is a Special Irish award for the best “Irish Theme” running costume.

Hooley Fest

Hooley Fest will be happening at two separate locations, the Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill in La Mesa and the Rancho San Diego location Saturday starting at 5:oopm.  The La Mesa Bands include Tony Cummins, Wanted- Bon Jovi Tribute Band, and California Celts.  The Rancho San Diego bands will be California Celts, Jukebox, and All Liquored Up.  This is a 21 and up event and the people at Hooley’s are being kind enough to offer rides home to those who live in a five mile radius.

Dublin Square St. Patrick’s Day 2012

Hungry for some Irish food?  Dublin Square located on 4th Ave in the Gaslamp District kicks off the holiday with a Irish breakfast to please anyone interested in the traditional food of Ireland.  Also they have a Happy Hour from 2-5pm and from 7-9pm there will be live music.

Gallagher’s Irish Pub

Gallagher’s was so excited for St. Patricks Day to come around they start the celebration one day early.  The night of March 16th had a live band, DJ, a countdown until midnight, and three dollar shots and green beers.  That was the Pre-Party for what will come for the big day.  Starting at 7am with bowls of Lucky Charms and pints of Guinness.  The rest of the day will hold more green beer, live music, a live radio show, and leprechauns.  Their most talked about items will also be returning, their homemade corn beef plates.  Located on Newport Ave in San Diego it’s sure to be an Irish fueled event to remember.

Not Your Irish Grandmother’s Corned Swordfish

Yup, Sea Rocket Bistro is putting a new spin on an old Irish favorite, corned beef and cabbage, by using some local swordfish to put a San Diego spin on it.  The rest of the menu pays homage to Ireland with plates like fried potato tacos, Irish nachos (potato chips fried and served topped with cheese, bacon, jalapenos, pico de gallo, and guacamole), and soda bread.  The last addition to the menu is a sweet bread baked with whiskey soaked raisins for a bit o’ Irish flare.  For the holiday reservations are recommended, but Sea Rocket Bistro promises great food and Black and Tans to drink.

33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Open Reading of Irish Poetry and Prose

D.G. Wills Books in La Jolla is also joining in the festivities by inviting the public to enjoy readings from great Irish writers that include James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde, Sean O’Casey, and many more starting at 7pm this Saturday.  Keeping with the spirit of the holiday they have announced that “Messers. Guinness and Harp will officiate the proceeding.”