St. Patrick’s in Healdsburg: What to Know

As I’m sure you’ve heard, tomorrow is a big day in Healdsburg. It’s a big day most places — but especially here. Expect drunken, Irish-inspired revelry all across the downtown area from before the sun rises to after it sets. It all starts with the “Biggest, Shortest Parade in the World,” complete with a green-sashed parade queen and a grand marshal in a convertible. Here’s the backstory on our local St. Patrick’s Day traditions, courtesy of the Healdsburg Tribune’s inimitable news editor, Christian Kallen: “For the past 29 years or so, early risers (or possibly those who stay up all night celebrating) have gathered in the 400 block of Healdsburg Avenue in the pre-dawn, there to engage in a raucous holiday celebration replete with bagpipes, conch shells, snare drums and general mayhem. Bill Coleman, the former owner of the B&B Lounge which at the time was located where John & Zeke’s is today, is said to have started the tradition in the mid-1990s. … The idea caught on: Meet at the B&B for an Irish Coffee to start the day, bring out the bagpipes and march around the Plaza on St. Patrick’s Day. What could go wrong?” Indeed. And here’s what to know about the scene this year: “Now John & Zeke’s is where the B&B used to be (420 Healdsburg Ave.), and keeping the tradition alive they will open at 6am on Sunday. Expect hundreds of people show up on March 17 there or in front of Sanderson Ford (453 Healdsburg Ave.), primed for the parade that begins at 7am. … Although the party vibe is strong, it begins to dissipate with sunlight, and things calm down as the morning advances. But adding to its rich menu of annual events in the Plaza, Healdsburg Community Services has once again reserved the Plaza for the annual Kiwanis St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, cosponsored by Healdsburg Kiwanis. Billed as ‘a lot of fun and a little shenanigans for kids of all ages,’ it begins at 11am with a garden of fairy houses, children’s fairy-door-making crafts and games, face-painting, snack food and toy giveaways. The day includes two sets of music by the high-energy Celtic rock band Tempest between noon and 1:30pm, and two traditional Irish step-dancing performances by the Shiloh Step Dancers, planned for 12:35pm and 12:55pm.” If you’re still standing by late afternoon, the Elephant in the Room pub just south of the roundabout is hosting a St. Paddy’s afterparty with live music by a band called the Beer Scouts. Their motto? “Will Rock For Beer.” More details in the Trib! (Source: Healdsburg Tribune & Elephant in the Room via Facebook)