By Asha Nalley
It’s the luck of the Irish, we’ve found the best ways to spend St. Patrick’s Day in #downtownlex this year! Whether you are Irish, of Irish descent or indulging your inner-Irish, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with food, dancing, and fun!
St. Patrick’s Day is a long-celebrated tradition in Lexington, as it’s the longest running civic event. The Bluegrass Irish Society puts on the Annual Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, a community-wide celebration for all to come and enjoy. The celebration kicks off at 10:45 a.m. EST with the “Blessing of the Keg” which will lead to a day full of youth activities, Irish entertainment, food, and crafts with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. on Main Street. For more details, visit their website https://lexingtonstpatsparade.org/.
The fun doesn’t stop there! There are plenty of more things to do that week to keep the St. Paddy’s Day celebration going. Join in on the luckiest bar crawl in Lexington for exclusive drink specials and an exciting Irish themed social experience on Saturday, March 16, 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. EDT. Tickets include 2-3 drinks or shots, waived cover at venues, stadium party cup offered to the first 400 check-ins, food specials, custom badge, and lanyard and after party! Check-in will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wild Cat Saloon. Tickets are required, get them here: https://www.crawlwith.us/lexington/stpattys#tickets.
Continue the Saint Paddy Party at Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery for a St. Patrick’s Day Bash on Sunday, March 17 at 11:00 AM EST featuring live music by Vanguard Band from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you’re looking to get your green beer fix, Ethereal Brewing is pouring a delicious green Throwback Pilsner all Saint Patrick’s Day weekend for only $4! And they’re re-introducing The Mighty Monarch – an Irish red ale that’s malty and subtly sweet up front, with a round and bready finish.
Of course, if you wanted to pedal your way around the holiday this year, that’s also an option. Big Blue Pedaler is giving you the chance to have a one-of-a-kind St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl! Gather a group of friends and get in a little cardio while you visit some iconic stops via group bike ride. Book a ride on March 14th, 15th, 16th, or 17th, and get a limited edition BBP x St. Paddy’s Day koozie!
Be sure to stop by Fáilte Irish Import Shop for all your St. Patrick’s Day needs! Located on 113 South Upper Street, Fáilte has been providing a diverse selection of fine goods from Ireland and Scotland to the Central Kentucky area and beyond for over 20 years. Owner, Liza Betz, emigrated from Dublin, Ireland to Kentucky in 1996 and fell in love with Kentucky. She stayed in Lexington but decided to bring the Irish culture here because she saw a great demand for Irish products. To get a better sense of the Irish culture as the holiday approaches, visit her shop and indulge in authentic Irish food and goods.
Kentucky has more connections to the Irish culture than you may think, like the shared love of bourbon whiskey making, horses and music. Speaking of music, the famous song we know so well, “My Old Kentucky Home”, was composed by an Irishman, Stephen Foster. Eastern Kentucky music has bits of Irish jigs and reels. You may sometimes notice dry rock wall fences throughout the Bluegrass, these were built by Irish immigrants. The Bluegrass Irish Society was incorporated as a public, charitable and educational organization September 1980, the society created the St. Patrick’s Day tradition which continues in Lexington to this day.
Make sure you head to #downtownlex for all the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! Thanks to all the participating restaurants, stores and bars for providing the opportunity to celebrate Irish culture in our community once again.