Although St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday, by the 19th century, it had become the world’s favorite day to “celebrate” Irish heritage and culture — mostly by drinking a lot. You don’t have to throw back a shot of whiskey or a pint of Guinness to celebrate, but if you want to, there will be plenty of both flowing freely in Northwest Arkansas on March 17. But there will also be plenty of live music, dancing, corned beef and parades to fortify the celebrations. Here’s a list of some of the happenings around Northwest Arkansas — just don’t forget to wear green!
Bentonville
St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza — with music, green beer, Irish food, dancing, leprechauns, and drink specials. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s.
St. Patrick’s Day — 9 p.m. with Taylor Clayborne. Bentley’s Beach Bar.
Annual Bash at the Pint — 3 p.m., with local beer garden, Baggo Tournament, corned beef, and music by Roger Thomas and the Downtown Livewires. Butcher & Pint.
The Celtic Crawl — all day, downtown Bentonville.
St. Patrick’s Day Party and Food Drive — 6:30-9 p.m. with Taco Bar, games, and St. Patrick’s Day Attire Contest. Executive Escape. $5 or 5 cans nonperishable food.
St. Patrick’s Day Bash — with Rince Arkansas Academy of Irish Dance, and music by Fetts Folly, Route 358, and more. The Forge.
Paddy O’Grill & The Spud Muffins — 7 p.m.; Celtic ensemble Cold Water Dogs at 3. Pedaler’s Pub, Bentonville.
Eureka Springs
St. Paddy’s Day — with Ponder the Albatross. Chelsea’s Corner Cafe.
23rd annual Eureka Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade — 2-3 p.m., downtown.
Parade After Party: Gone to the Dogs — 3-4 p.m., with Krewe of Barkus. Eureka Bark Park.
Kiss the Blarney Stone — 8 p.m., St. Patrick’s Day dance party with DJ Testube. Upstairs at Grotto. $5.
Fayetteville
St Patty’s Day Potato Planting — 9 a.m.-noon, open garden hours for potato planting and history. Apple Seeds Teaching Farm.
Ye Olde St. Paddys Day Raffle — 6 p.m.-2 a.m., hosted by Bugsy’s and Sideways.
Rince Arkansas Academy of Irish Dance — 10:30 a.m., Fayetteville Public Library.
St. Patty’s Day Funk — 7 p.m., $1 shots of Bailey’s and music by Formals. Nomads Music Lounge.
Fort Smith
St. Patty’s Day Parade — 5 p.m., Core Public House.
St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl — 6 p.m.-midnight, downtown. facebook.com/eventsdowntown. $2-$5.
Rogers
St. Patrick’s Day at the Brick — 2 p.m. with green beer, green costumes, and music by Lazy Daisy and Murray Williams. Brick Street Brews.
St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl — 5-11 p.m. beginning at The Grand at 117. godowntownrogers.com. $5-$18.
St. Paddy’s Day — 8 p.m. with Dr. NOLA & The Soul Shakers. Hapa’s Hawaiian Bar & Grill.
St. Patty’s Day Shenanigans — 8 p.m., Levi’s Gastrolounge, Rogers.
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Stew — 1-4 p.m. with Irish Soda Bread. VFW Post 3031. $6.
Springdale
Anniversary Party — Noon-midnight, The Odd Soul 1 Year Anniversary/St. Patty’s Day/ Duelin’ Pianos party. The Odd Soul.
— Jocelyn Murphy
jmurphy@nwadg.com
