KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sláinte!
It's time to celebrate everything Irish this weekend for Saint Patrick's Day!
This year, the greenest of all holidays falls on a Sunday, so you really can get into the shamrock spirit all weekend long!
Here's some of the events going on in Knoxville:
Knox Shamrock Fest
Friday, March 15, from 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. and Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The Knox Shamrock Fest is a family-friendly event in downtown Knoxville's Market Square. There will be festive music, live concerts, inflatable bounce houses, slides and an obstacle course, carousel & crafts for the little ones, face painting, balloon twisting, midway games, prizes, vendors and other fun activities for kids of all ages.
For those age 21 years or older, green beer, Guinness, Irish whiskey & wine will be available for purchase with legal ID.
Tickets will be on sale at the festival for children’s activities, games and food/snacks. Tickets are $1 each or 12 tickets for $10; midway games, balloon twisting, face painting, and other children’s activities will be available for 1 ticket, 2 tickets or 3 tickets, depending on the attraction. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation.
Knox St. Patrick's Parade and Cel-O'Bragh-tion
Cel-O'Bragh-tion: March 15 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. and March 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Krutch Park Extension off Gay Street across from Regal Cinemas.
There will be live music, libations, an inflatable pub, games, and much more!
Parade: March 16 at 1 p.m. on Gay Street
The parade will start at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum, march up Church Street and turn onto Gay Street. It will continue down Gay Street through the heart of downtown until taking a right onto Jackson Ave. The parade will end in the Old City.
This event benefits Catholic Charities.
Irish Times St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Finn's
For an adults-only St. Patrick's Day party, you can head to Finn's Restaurant and Tavern, located in the Baker Peters House at 9000 Kingston Pike.
It bills itself as Knoxville's only authentic Irish restaurant and tavern, and was opened by the former owners of the Irish Times pub in Turkey Creek, which always hosted a big St. Paddy's Day party.
On Saturday and Sunday, they'll have Irish food, Irish dancing, Irish music, Irish beer, Irish whiskey, music from local band The Boogie Nights and our annual Tug-O-War between the Knoxville Fire Department and the Knoxville Fraternal Order of Police.
There will be additional seating and bars under an outside tent and extra parking.