by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade — Irish soldiers serving in the British military — was held March 17, 1762, in New York City. The first U.S. president to attend the procession was Harry Truman in 1948 and since then, the holiday has become a day of celebration.
Downtown puts its own stamp on the day’s observation and this year the festivities will run today through Sunday.
This morning, the Landing will turn the fountain green with an Irish proclamation and blessing accompanied by bagpipes. A leprechaun will be roaming the property all day giving away green beads and teaching visitors a few Irish dance moves.
Starting at lunch and continuing all afternoon, the Drake School of Irish Dancing will perform in the food court and courtyard.
At 4 p.m. the green beer will begin to flow for happy hour and there will be live music in the courtyard beginning at 7 p.m.
The Landing also imported a “Blarney Stone.” It’s a five-foot tall granite boulder that’s available to kiss for good luck (an Irish tradition) and there’s a “Passport to Cash” contest with a $1,000 prize.
The Twisted Martini and Mavericks Rock ‘N Honky Tonk are also getting into the act. At Twisted Martini, tonight is the Fifth Annual “Twisted O’Martini Lucky Ladies Night” with drink and food specials plus prizes for those dressed in green. Mavericks hosts the Second Annual Shamrockin St. Patrick’s Day Bash with drink specials and a balloon drop with $1,800 in cash and prizes.
At 8 p.m. Thursday, Hooters is hosting its Green Bikini Contest and at 8 p.m. Friday, country recording artists Chuck Wicks and Williams Riley will take the stage.
On Saturday, the American Cornhole Organization’s “Cornhole Madness” tournament will take over Hogan Street at 12:30 p.m. with the finals of the beanbag toss competition at about 5 p.m. in the courtyard.
St. Patrick’s Week will wrap up Sunday with the return of Yappy Hour and the Second Annual St. Patty’s Day Pawty. Well-behaved dogs and their owners are invited for a pet expo, canine fashion show and food and drink specials. It’s from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“With the basketball tournament Downtown this weekend, we decided the Landing would have North Florida’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration,” said Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Blakeley Ainsworth. “It starts on St. Patrick’s Day, but you can get your green on all weekend long.”
This particular holiday is associated with a particular cuisine and toward that end, London Bridge Pub partner Bob Moffitt said the restaurant will serve the traditional meal of corned beef, boiled cabbage, carrots and potatoes or the chef will make you a corned beef sandwich.
“We’ll serve it all week until it’s all gone,” he added.
Farah’s Downtown at East Bay and Liberty streets is also listing the Irish meal as the lunch special. Server Haley Lurie said she has been sewing a special leprechaun costume she’ll wear in honor of the holiday.
As festive as St. Patrick’s Day may be, the day has a deeper meaning for one Downtown business owner.
Sean Mulholland, with Irish roots, cut the ribbon to open the new location for his private investigation firm on March 17, 2005. Since then, the home of Mulholland Investigation and Security Consulting at 221 E Adams St. has been renamed “The Shamrock Building” and Mulholland installed a four-leaf clover on the front door. He said he realizes the botanical discrepancy and there’s a reason.
“I know it’s not a shamrock, but the four-leaf clover is for good luck,” explained Mulholland.
Landing Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Blakeley Ainsworth with the “Blarney Stone” imported to kiss for good luck.
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