Bands playing Party on the Parkway
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Nick Lutsko is grand marshal of the St. Chatty's Day parade Saturday morning, March 18, and will be performing at the St. Paddy's Party on the Parkway later that day.
Bagpipers will stroll Rock City Gardens during Shamrock City, which in its final weekend, March 18-19.
Above, Carolina Ceili members Maggie Anderson, Laurie Fisher and Marcos Harkness, from left, with be joined by guest Tomas Valenti for performances at Shamrock City. A ceili, pronounced kay-lee, is a traditional Gaelic social gathering.
As the old quote says, "If you're lucky enough to be Irish ... you're lucky enough!"
But if you aren't Irish, there's no reason to turn green with envy. Be Irish for a day at one of eight St. Patrick's Day events that include parties, wearin' o' the green costume contests, Irish bands, bagpipers playing and even fun for the little leprechauns in your family. There are even parades for people and pups - and that's no blarney.
Here's a roundup of where to find St. Paddy's Day fun.
See Shamrock City
From a green waterfall to Celtic music and dance, you'll find everything Irish this weekend at Rock City Gardens' 10th Irish festival, Shamrock City. The event includes live bands, Irish jig lessons, costumed characters, Irish macchiatos, specialty beers and Irish-themed food. Don't miss the High Falls flowing green down the side of Lookout Mountain beneath Lovers Leap.
* Where: Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga.
* When: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19.
* Admission: $22.95 adults, $12.95 children ages 3-12.
* Entertainment: Olta (11 a.m.-noon and 12:30-1:30 p.m.) and Carolina Ceili (2-3 and 4-5 p.m.) will perform both days. Members of Chattanooga Pipe Band will roam the gardens daily playing Irish tunes.
* For the kids: Suffolk sheep encounters at Bagby's Critter Coral from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., photo-ops with costumed characters, Kids Adventure Passport that includes activities, coupons and place for collecting stamps throughout the park. Climb the 25-foot Blarney Stone climbing wall and receive a certificate and lucky surprise for conquering the Shamrock Quest.
* For more information: www.seerockcity.com.
St. Chatty's Day Parade
Get your green on and join a St. Patrick's Day Parade through downtown and the North Shore led by grand marshal Nick Lutsko.
* Where: Starts at Fourth and Market streets, crosses Market Street Bridge, then right onto Frazier Avenue and ending at Tremont Street.
* When: Noon Saturday, March 18.
* Admission: Free.
* Entertainment: Parade units include Highlands Pipe and Drum Band, marching bands, school and business entries - even the Oscar Meyer WienerMobile.
* For more information: 423-757-5259.
St. Chatty's Day Parade - Puppy Style
Smile for the "puparazzi" as you and the family pet march in this parade sponsored by the Humane Educational Society. The parade for dogs will nip at the heels of the St. Chatty's Day Parade as their routes will intersect at the Market Street Bridge.
* Where: Line up behind Hair of the Dog Pub at Fourth and Cherry streets. The parade will start down Market Street, cross the Market Street Bridge, right onto Frazier Avenue and end at Tremont Street.
* When: Noon Saturday, March 18 (lineup at 11 a.m.).
* Admission: Free.
* Entertainment: Dogs dressed up!
* Rules of the route: Dogs must be leashed, current on vaccines and nonaggressive. HES will lead the puppy parade; community walkers will line up behind the HES truck. Dog walkers must carry doggie waste bags and pick up after their pets. Pet owners should take into consideration there will be horns blowing and people cheering, so dogs should not be skittish or fearful in crowds.
* For more information: 423-624-5302.
St. Paddy's Party on the Parkway
Crowds from either parade are encouraged to party on at this community block party in Patten Parkway sponsored by The Honest Pint. Proceeds benefit SoundCorps and Chattanooga Kids on the Block.
* Where: Patten Parkway between Georgia Avenue and Lindsay Street.
* When: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, through 2 a.m. Sunday, March 19.
* Admission: $15 general admission, $45 VIP ticket. Must be 21 or older to drink and have photo ID and valid license.
* Entertainment: Free interactive kids zone, two stages booked with 12 bands, food and beer vendors. Performances by Sidewalk Stages buskers, Chattanooga Fire Cabaret and Highlander Pipes and Drums throughout the day and evening.
* For more information: 423-468-4192.
Harley-Davidson St. Patrick's Day parties
The best-dressed guest wearing green will be high on the hog at either of these Harley-Davidson locations, where the best costume wins a cash prize.
* Where: Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson, 7720 Lee Highway.
* When: 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 17.
* Admission: Free.
* Entertainment: Music by Faith Jackson, beverages and food from Bud's Sports Bar, Best-Dressed in Green contest with cash prizes.
* For more information: 423-892-4888.
* Where: Mountain Creek Harley-Davidson, 1001 Market St., Dalton, Ga.
* When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mountain Creek Hog Chili Cookoff, noon-5 p.m. St. Patrick's party.
* Admission: $5 for all-you-can-eat cook-off ticket, free admission to St. Patrick's Day party.
* Entertainment: Spin the Wheel of Luck contest, music by Remembering January, food and drinks.
* For more information: www.mountaincreekharley.com.
Shamrock, Thistle and Rose
This musical trio, also known as Jim Todd, Jayne Todd and Ward Satterfield, share a common love for music from the British Isles. They'll play Irish and Scottish music from the 1500s to present day.
* Where: Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga.
* When: 7 p.m. today, March 16.
* Admission: $10 adults, $8 students and adults over age 65.
* For more information: 706-278-0168.
Irish Musical
Full of lively song and dance, "Irish Courage" is Back Alley Productions' salute to St. Patrick's Day.
Zachery Green plays the playboy visitor who stumbles into a rustic Irish tavern and charms the local villagers even as he captures their attention with his story of murdering his father.
* Where: Mars Theatre, 117 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette, Ga.
* When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 17-18; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19.
* Admission: $10-$15.
* For more information: 706-621-2870.