The actual day of St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend provides some extra incentive to find your festive gear of yesteryear, throw on something green and follow the party over the next few days. The Athens area will host a variety of events, from energetic day festivals to more laid-back concerts and even charity fundraisers. Here are a few cheery gatherings scheduled for Friday through Sunday, but be sure to check the Flagpole calendars for more St. Paddy’s Day-themed events for adults and children happening throughout the week.
Fawney Rig
Mar. 15–17 • Multiple Locations
Self-described as “if The Pogues had a baby with The Clancy Brothers,” Irish folk-rock band Fawney Rig will be bringing its unique setlist that spans traditions to multiple venues this weekend. Claire Campbell of Hope For Agoldensummer and Nathan Peters of Beat Up head this project, with a backing band of friends on accordion, banjo, drums and upright bass. The group will be playing Celtic classics, foot-stomping jigs, some lulling ballads and a few upbeat rock songs. Pick your vibe between the three venues, with your choice of early or late evening start times. Mar. 15, 8 p.m. at Nowhere Bar. $10. Mar. 16, 6 p.m. at Front Porch Bookstore. FREE! Mar. 17, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. at Hendershot’s. $25.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
Mar. 15 • Athentic Brewing Co.
The only full-day celebration on this list, it provides a lot of options for working the festivities into your other plans or making this your one-stop party shop. This celebration includes a beer release of Phelan Good, Athentic’s Irish Red Ale.If you’re looking for a feast, there will be a Taste of the World lunch featuring Irish cuisine from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. before the Homy.Made food truck takes over from 5–9 p.m. Stay late for the live entertainment, featuring Repent at Leisure Band’s Celtic tunes from 7–10 p.m. and a special dance performance by Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. FREE! athenticbrewing.com
St. Patrick’s Day Bash
Mar. 16 • Southern Brewing Co.
Bring your folding chairs and blanket, and settle in for an evening full of entertainment behind the brewery. Your first pint is included in the ticket price, and there will be a food truck on site to sustain your partying. Everything kicks off with Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance at 4:45 p.m. Following the academy’s graceful performance, live music will carry the rest of the night with The Green Flag Band & Friends (5:30 p.m.), a tribute to The Pogues by The Knockouts (7 p.m.) and Thick Lizzy (8:30 p.m.), a Thin Lizzy cover band with members of Hayride, Shehehe, Landspeeder, Wyld Staleyz, Donkey Punch and more. 4–10 p.m. FREE! (20 & under), $10 (21 & up). facebook.com/AubreyEntertainmentAthensGA
St. Patrick for St. Vincent
Mar. 16 • Countryside Manor
Perhaps you’re in the giving spirit instead? This fundraising gala, sponsored by Working Oglethorpe Women and the Oglethorpe Chamber of Commerce, is in benefit of Vincent’s Place. The nonprofit will be a sanctuary for small farm animals rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment, and it will offer free animal-assisted therapy to veterans and other members of the community in need of support. The event will feature a DJ, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, coffee and a silent auction. 7–11 p.m. $20. vincentsplace.org
Keepin’ It Green and Brew-tiful
Mar. 17 • Terrapin Beer Co.
Also combining festive fun with good will for the community, Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful is raising funds to fill the loop with daffodils and crape myrtles. The Homy.Made food truck will be on site, DJ LaDarius will be spinning tunes and the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance will perform. There will also be kids activities, a costume contest and a dunk tank featuring Cameron Harrelson, Cathy Rumfelt, David Hyde, Tommy Valentine, David Bradley, Brittany Barnes, Nathan Stuck and more. 4–8 p.m. FREE! keepathensbeautiful.org
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