Guide to Dublin's St. Patrick's Day 2014

Thousands from around Tri-Valley are expected to turn out for the annual St. Patrick's Day festivities in Dublin. Here's how to celebrate St. Paddy's this weekend. 

Information provided by City of Dublin—

Put on your kilt and join with the City of Dublin in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, March 15 – 16, 2014.

Green and White Gala
The weekend’s festivities will begin on Friday evening, March 14, with dinner and dancing to live music at the annual Green and White Gala, hosted by the Dublin Sister City Association. 

The event will take place at the Shannon Community Center (11600 Shannon Avenue), where we’ll welcome guests and dignitaries from sister city Bray, Ireland, visiting Dublin for the weekend’s events. “Irish Happy Hour” will commence at 6:00 p.m., with a no-host bar followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person and must be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/564606. For more information, please call (925) 899-4771.

Annual Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast
On Saturday, March 15, start your morning with a big stack of hot “green” pancakes served fresh off the griddle at the Annual Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast. will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee, and will be served beginning at 7:00 a.m., at Fire Station #16, located at Donohue Drive and Amador Valley Boulevard. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Alameda County Fire Fighters Association-Local 55 Charity Fund, which supports local non-profit and community-based organizations.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Afterwards, head down Amador Valley Boulevard or Village Parkway to find the perfect viewing spot for the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sponsored by the Dublin Lions Club. Bring your own chairs and blankets or take a seat in the parade grandstand, located at 7400 Amador Valley Boulevard.

[Related article: St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route, Road Closures]

Over 80 entries, featuring marching bands, festive floats, bagpipes, equestrian riders, and much more will step-off promptly at 9:30 a.m. onto Dublin Boulevard from Amador Plaza Road.

St. Patrick’s Day Festival
The 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival takes place on Saturday andSunday, March 15 & 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Dublin Civic Center (100 Civic Plaza). There will be plenty of good green fun at this year’s event, including three stages of authentic Celtic entertainment, 250 craft and commercial vendors, featuring an Irish Marketplace, an Irish Tea Cottage, plenty of Irish food and beverage, carnival rides and, of course, bagpipers and leprechauns!

• Entertainment at the festival will include two stages of Celtic music with everything from bagpipes to high-energy Celtic rock and traditional Irish folk music to beautiful Celtic Harp. On the Main Stage, with performances on both Saturday and Sunday, the “Wicked Tinkers” will feature a heart-pounding blend of bagpipes with irresistible tribal drums to create their own unique ancient tribal version of Celtic Rock. The Black Irish, Avalon Rising, Four Shillings Short, and the USAF Irish ensemble, the Blue Yonders, will also be featured. A third stage will feature all Irish dancing with the McGrath Irish Dancers on Saturday and the McBride School of Irish Dance on Sunday . . . not to be missed!

• The Arts & Crafts fair will showcase a variety of talented artists, but don’t forget to visit the “Irish Marketplace,” offering Irish tartans, hand-knit wool sweaters, beautiful Celtic jewelry, Irish coats of arms, a history of Celtic names, delectable flavored shortbreads, and much more!

• The Celtic Food Court will feature traditional Irish favorites, such as corned beef on Irish soda bread, beer-braised Irish bangers with boxty and sautéed cabbage and, of course, fish and chips! But, be sure to try the unique Irish-inspired specialties, such as Guinness marinated tri-tip, corned beef sliders with spicy cabbage slaw and, new this year, Irish Egg Rolls with corned beef, cabbage, pepper jack cheese, and horseradish sauce. Wash it all down as the Irish do with Guinness, Smithwicks or Harp. Remember to save room for a delicious Bailey’s Irish Crème Brulee, shamrock mint shakes with Bailey’s whipped cream, or green shamrock-shaped funnel cakes for dessert! A host of traditional festival foods and international choices will also be available. 

• If you are craving a wee bit of Ireland, then step inside the Irish Tea Cottage to enjoy lively music along with a steaming cup of authentic Irish Tea, served in genuine china cups along with your choice of shortbread and scones.

• Don’t forget to visit the exciting Carnival, offering rides and attractions for all ages!

Shamrock 5K Fun Run and Walk
On Sunday, March 16, lace up your running shoes for the 16th Annual Shamrock 5K Fun Run and Walk! The race begins along Dublin Boulevard near the Civic Center at 8:30 a.m., and winds its way through town, finishing at the festival with live music, awards, and giveaways for participants. Register online at www.active.com by March 13. For race information, please call (925) 556-4500.

[Related article: Road Closures for St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Fun Run]

Best of all, festival admission is FREE! Plenty of free parking will also be available nearby. Or, visitors can take BART to the Dublin-Pleasanton BART Station (in East Dublin) and connect with a free Wheels pass available at the station during the weekend of the event. Please call (925) 556-4500 or visit www.DublinStPats.com for more information.

Weather
Temperatures in Dublin are forecasted to be in high 70s to low 80s, with clear skies and sunny skies.

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