The end of the rainbow is in downtown Healdsburg this St. Patrick’s Day.
This year, the St. Paddy’s day festivities are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and the city of Healdsburg.
“The city of Healdsburg is excited to be a co-sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities this year and look forward to carrying on the torch that was put in place by Bill Coleman and the B&B Lounge,” city Recreation Manager Dave Jahns said. “We look forward to seeing everyone downtown on Sunday for ‘the biggest shortest parade in the world’ followed by an afternoon of music and traditional Celtic dance in the Plaza.”
“On very short notice our club was asked to help co-sponsor the events of the day and with activities both with and for youth (dancers, Parks and Recreation activities, a Fun Run) we felt it was another great opportunity to bring our community together and support youth activities, so our board approved our participation a couple of weeks ago,” Kiwanis member Dick Bugarske said. “We hope to be able to co-sponsor in the future. One of the cool aspects of this is that over our 96-year history here in Healdsburg, we have sponsored many similar events and activities, so we feel we are continuing that legacy.”
The celebration begins the day before with an Irish concert at the Raven Performing Arts Theater at 115 North St. Eileen Ivers and JigJam will play starting at 8 p.m.
On St. Paddy’s Day proper, a slew of events await both true-born and for-a-day Irish.
The traditional favorite of corned beef and cabbage will be served at both B & B Lounge and John and Zeke’s. Doors open at 6 a.m. and the meal runs until 4 p.m. at John and Zeke’s (430 Healdsburg Ave.) and until 1 p.m. at B & B Lounge (1239 Healdsburg Ave.).
The Rotary will be hosting a green hair dying fundraiser at Costeaux French Bakery and Café starting at 6 a.m. Funds will go towards the club’s goal of eradicating polio worldwide. A minimum of $10 is asked for hair coloring and has been a popular hit in years past. Starting at 7 a.m., a breakfast of green eggs and ham will be served.
Patrons will be able to burn off some calories at the pre-parade fun run that begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Healdsburg Running Company (333 Center St.). The run ends where the parade begins.
The main event, the parade, starts at 7 a.m. at Sanderson’s Ford, 453 Healdsburg Ave. In years past, the parade has included classic cars and community groups in addition to green-clad charmers playing up their heritage.
Shoppers can enjoy the annual spring sidewalk sale starting at 10 a.m. at various stores downtown. This will be the last day of the four-day sale and ends at 5 p.m.
And if the kids haven’t burned enough energy off, the Healdsburg Running Company will hold another fun run just for them around the Plaza at 11:45 a.m.
The Celtic concert in the Plaza starts at noon and runs through 1:30 p.m. The show is presented by the Healdsburg Kiwanis Club and the city and features Plaid Menagerie and Shiloh Irish Step Dancers.
Plaid Menagerie describes itself as, “a contemporary take on Scottish and Irish folk music with awesome rhythmic drive,” on its website.
Shiloh Irish Step Dancers will feature youth from the Santa Rosa-based class taking on jigs and more.
Also beginning at noon is the sixth annual Drink for the Dogs Green Dog Rescue Benefit, located in the Healdsburg Bar and Grille on 345 Healdsburg Ave. The event runs until 9 p.m. and is free to enter. A raffle and drink specials will help support local furry friends.
Finally, the Harmon Guest House will host an event benefitting the Healdsburg Educational Foundation beginning at 3 p.m. on the rooftop of the Harmon Guest House on 227 Healdsburg Ave.
The event is family-friendly and drinks — including those Irished up — will have a portion of sales go toward the foundation. The Shiloh Irish Step Dancers will make their way to this event beginning at 3:30 p.m.
