Irish Congress of Southern California’s parade and festival in Balboa Park just one event in and around Uptown
Compiled by Logan Broyles | SDUN Reporter
Whether you are looking for fun for the whole family or just trying to get your hands on some unappetizingly green beer, there is no shortage of St. Patrick’s Day events all around Uptown. The main event is the Irish Congress of San Diego’s parade and festival in Balboa Park, now celebrating 33 years. The event is one of the largest single-day happenings in San Diego.
Here is a roundup of the best things to do to embrace the luck o’ the Irish this year.
Saint Paddy’s Day PubCrawl
Friday – Sunday, March 15 – 17
Beginning Friday, March 15 and running through Sunday, March 17 guests are invited to celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day the inebriated way, by going on this epic pub crawl through some of San Diego’s most popular bars. Each location will feature drink specials for at least three hours and there will be at least one after-party each night with no cover. Presented by pubcrawls.com, tickets start at $10 per day and $20 for the three-day “all-access” pass. More info: pubcrawls.com.
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Saturday, March 16
The quintessential St. Patrick’s Day celebration in San Diego returns for its 33rd year. Organized by the Irish Congress of Southern California, the Irish festival takes place in Balboa Park as the parade – with over 120 entries – routes along Fifth and Sixth avenues in Bankers Hill.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Gaelic Athletic Association,” Ireland’s largest sporting organization. There will be traditional dancers, music, marching bands and representatives from Ireland, along with a beer garden and a Celtic village at the festival, all starting with a flag raising ceremony at 9:45 a.m. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m., while the festival itself is from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. More info: stpatsparade.org.
Saint Patrick’s Day 10k run, 2- & 4-mile run/walk
Saturday, March 16
The annual 10k run and two- and four-mile run/walk held at Mission Bay Park, with funds benefitting Rady Children’s Hospital, will step off at 7:45 a.m. Registration for the 10k is $33 in advance and $42 day of, and walk is $27 in advance and $33 the day of. Sponsored by Stone Brewing Co. and Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits, attendees will get a chance to enjoy pizza and great local beers. More info: kathyloperevents.com.
Fourth annual Zane Patrick’s Day
Saturday, March 16
A St. Paddy’s bash that has become a yearly tradition at McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon Downtown is hosted by Zane Lamprey of Three Sheets and Drinking Made Easy. The event features an open bar and an Irish band. Come back to McFadden’s the following day for kegs and eggs, DJs, bag pipers, Irish dancers and leprechauns. More info: mcfaddenssandiego.com.
ShamROCK 2013
Sunday, March 17
ShamROCK is turning the Gaslamp Quarter green on St. Patrick’s Day from 2 p.m. to midnight. The 18th annual yearly block party closes down the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter, lines them with 80,000 square feet of green Astroturf and lets more than 20,000 attendees roam from one bar to the next, while enjoying live Irish bands on the main stage, a 150-foot Irish pub on the street, and two DJ stages with amazing talent. More info: sandiegoshamrock.com.
Voices of Ireland
Monday, March 18
Join Write Out Loud at 7:30 p.m. for a celebration of traditional Irish stories, music and dancing, featuring performances by The Celtic Echoes and Champion Irish Dancers. San Diego actors will take to the stage for one of the organization’s most popular programs. Tickets start at $20 and there are discounts for seniors and military members. The event is held at the Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave. More info: writeoutloudsd.com.
