It's said that on St. Patrick's Day, everybody is Irish. Downtown will be the center of activity this weekend for those with or without authentic green pedigrees when the Landing hosts the 4th Annual "St. Pat's on the St. Johns."
The five-day celebration began Wednesday night with the annual Hooters Green Bikini Contest. It continued early this morning when the fountain in the Landing courtyard was dyed green and an official proclamation was read. Both were accompanied by bagpipes and a shower of Guinness Irish dry stout christening the Blarney Stone.
Landing Director of Marketing Michael Chambliss said the Landing has hosted St. Patrick's Day activities each year since the mall opened in 1987.
The traditional dyeing of the fountain began four years ago and the addition of an Irish restaurant two years upped the ante.
"When Fionn MacCool's Irish Restaurant and Pub opened two years ago, what we do here at the Landing became North Florida's largest St. Patrick's Day event," Chambliss said.
Live bands are scheduled on the stage and at Fionn MacCool's through Sunday, including Braxton Adamson; Seven Nations; Jimmy O'Solari; Spade McQuade and the Allstars; and Dublin Train Wreck.
Mavericks Rock N' Honky Tonk has scheduled a Shamrockin' Pre-St. Paddy's Day Bash at 8 p.m. Saturday.
A traditional Irish breakfast will be served at Fionn MacCool's 8-11 a.m. Sunday, followed after 11 a.m. by an all-you-can eat corned-beef buffet.
The 5th Annual St. Paw'ty's Day Yappy Hour for dogs and their owners begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Chambliss said all of the restaurants will be offering St. Patrick's Day specials Sunday, along with green beer. Roaming bagpipers, Irish dance groups and free green beads also are part of the festivities.
Green fireworks above the St. Johns River are scheduled to be lit at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
For the complete schedule, visit jacksonvillelanding.com.
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