St. Paddy's Day Celebrations To Make Irishmen Proud

Photo By Patti Richardson Photography
Trash Can Bandits

Staff Report

Fayetteville will be in full Irish bloom Sunday with events taking place in honor of the good ol’ Catholic Saint Patrick and community spirit.

In the 1600s, close to 100,000 Irish immigrants made their way onto the shores of North America, in what now is the United States. The 1700s brought another 100,000, bringing with them their traditions … and potatoes. But the favorite of all the holidays brought in by the Irish Americans — who now make up the second-largest lineage of Americans living today (next to Germans) — is by far St. Patrick’s Day.

Trash Can Bandits
The Trashcan Bandits have been making a lot of noise around Fayetteville with their foot-stomping, Irish-themed musical entertainment. They mix fiddle-playing Celtic, punk, bluegrass (inescapably) and a ton of energy that makes crowds go wild for this Fayetteville-based band. Dance a jig, take on an Irish accent and live it up with The Trashcan Bandits on the day of Irish days at George’s Majestic Lounge starting at 9 p.m. Free! <Trash Can Bandits website>

Rise From The Ashes
Local musical talents Shannon Wurst, Still on the Hill and Candy Lee and the Sweets will be the main performances at the benefit concert taking place at Greehouse Grille, starting at 5 p.m. Northwest Arkansas resident Andi-K Heart lost most of her belongings and six family pets in a house fire last month. Community members and friends have been collecting money and clothing for her and her daughter, and will be holding a special “Rise From The Ashes” benefit concert and live auction on Sunday. A $5 donation is suggested, and kids under 3 are free. All proceeds go to benefit Heart and her family to offset their losses.

On The Hill
Over 30 organizations will be represented at the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day on The Hill parade officially starting the beginning of a full day of celebrations. The parade will start at noon around the downtown square and proceed west down Dickson Street ending at the Hog Haus and Walton Arts Center. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Fayetteville was in 2012, with 20 or so entries and a crowd of about 200. This year the parade features the United States Marine Corps Color Guard, Police and Fire from around the region, the Ozark Highlanders Pipe Band, the Northwest Arkansas Celtic Musicians, several Irish Dance Clubs and floats. The celtic musicians will also play in front of the Town Center on the square starting at 1:30 p.m.

The Stepford Wives Gone AWOL
The Krewe of Blarney Halfast Walkin’ Club welcomes the annual visit by “The Stepford Wives Gone AWOL of NWA.” This is a ladies social club of sisterhood that supports and encourages each other in their pursuit of family, friendship, fulfillment and fun. They gather once a year on the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day when they catch up, cut up and cut loose. It has become a tradition to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Eureka Springs, which will begin at 2 p.m.