There's an event, parade, pub or restaurant for anyone in the Lehigh Valley yearning to celebrate their Irish pride. Even if kilts and bagpipes aren't a part of your heritage, go out in the Valley this March and experience a true cultural celebration. We've gathered a list of some of the most anticipated Irish festivities happening this month.
West End Pub Crawl
What would St. Patrick's Day be without a pub crawl? This West End Allentown tradition continues on March 12. Register at one of the sponsoring pubs, put on your festive, complementary pub crawl T-shirt and meet fellow spirit-enthused patrons at any one of the participating pubs. The crawl departs around 6:30 p.m., with a half-hour planned at each location (or more, depending on the level of Irish merriment). Typical pubs partaking in this evening of West End Irish pride include Jack Callaghan's Ale House, Tavern on Liberty, Stooge's Bar & Grille, Ringers Roost, Greg's West End Saloon, Volpe's Sports Bar, Nino's Pizzeria on 15th St., Fairgrounds Hotel, Roosevelt's 21st and The Shanty on 19th St. All proceeds benefit the Allentown St. Patrick's Parade.
$15 | West End Allentown | facebook.com
St. Patrick's 5K
Also in Allentown's delightful West End, the annual St. Patrick's Day 5K will start at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. The race precedes the annual Allentown St. Patrick's Day parade. Registration is currently open and will close on March 6, with benefits supporting the non-profit West End Alliance. No race-day registration will be available. The eagerly anticipated race will be capped at 1,000 runners, so register early; the event has sold out every year since 2012. All participants are encouraged to sport their lucky Irish green and clover-decorated running gear. The 5K will proceed next to Muhlenberg College's Memorial Hall and loop through a course encircled by 19th and 25th streets and Liberty and Tilghman streets. View a course map on the event website.
$33 | Corner of Berks and Liberty Streets, Allentown | westendstpats5k.com
Photo courtesy of the Allentown St. Patrick's Day Parade
Allentown's St. Patrick's Day Parade
After the West End 5K, patrons can experience the annual Irish celebration that is the Allentown St. Patrick's Day Parade, a time-honored tradition since 1955. At 1:30 p.m., immediately before the succession starts, a grand massed exhibition of 10 Irish pipe bands will perform collectively at 19th and Liberty Street. From there, marching bands, floats, local groups performing live music and entertainers from organizations, schools, companies and community groups throughout the Lehigh Valley area will begin parading at 2 p.m., passing Memorial Hall at about 2:30 p.m. Families and spectators are invited to line Liberty and Tilghman to 19th and 25th Streets to watch, cheer and collect candy thrown by silly, kilted Irishmen.
Corner of 19th and Liberty Streets, Allentown | 610.841.7342 | allentownstpatricksparade.com
Best Legs in a Kilt
Before the Parade of Shamrocks kicks off, the 12th annual Best Legs in a Kilt Contest in front of Donegal Square will be hosted at 11 a.m. Participants will strut their Irish pride for an enthusiastic crowd and the critical Celtic judges. Kilt-clad men of all ages will compete for the prestigious title of "Best Legs in Bethlehem.” Those interested can register online or on the day-of between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. First through third places are awarded—first place claiming the title of “Best Legs,” and a special prize, which last year was an eight-yard polyviscose kilt.
534 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.866.3244 | donegalsquare.com
Parade of Shamrocks
Downtown Bethlehem's annual Celtic Classic Parade of Shamrocks begins on Saturday, March 12. The parade proceeds from 13th Avenue and Broad Street and then succeeds east on Broad to Main Streets, south on Main Street and culminates beneath the Hill-To-Hill Bridge. Keep an eye and an ear out for dates, times and scheduled activties for the annual Irish-themed week dubbed “Beth-lum go Bragh,” organized by the Downtown Bethlehem Association, which typically includes Irish menu options at the Bethlehem Brew Works and other restaurants, bagpipers, dancers and many other Irish entertainments.
610.868.9599 | celticfest.org
