St Patrick's Day Festivities in Reno

There's more than green beer happening during St. Patrick's Day Festivities in Reno next week.  Here is a breakdown of what's going on:

Young Dubliners Concert
Start your St. Patrick festivities early, with a concert by the Young Dubliners, a Celtic rock band on March 9 at 8pm at The Knitting Factory (211 N Virginia Street, downtown Reno).  Doors will open at 7pm and the concert is available to all ages.  However, you will need ID to purchase any alcohol or enter the bar area.  Prices range from $16 to $35.  You can purchase tickets online or at the door.  Advance ticket purchase is recommended in case it sells out before you arrive.  For more info on the concert, please call 775-323-5648.

41st Annual St. Patrick's Dinner & Show
Hosted by the Sons & Daughters of Erin on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Bavarian World (595 Valley Rd, Reno), the St. Patrick's Dinner & Show starts at 5pm with a whiskey tasting with the dinner and show beginning at 6pm.  Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for kids.  You will get to enjoy dinner, live music and an opportunity to learn Irish reel dancing.  There will also be a silent auction.  For an additional $10, you will receive a commemorative glass with endless refills of beer and wine.  For more info, please call 775-331-0993 or email [email protected].

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Mountain Oyster Festival
Virginia City's annual parade takes place at 12pm on Saturday, March 13, 2010 this year.  There will be marching leprechauns and more.  You can even try a big delicacy: Mountain Oysters (sheep testicles).  For more info, please call 775-847-4386 or visit the Virginia City's Visitor Center website.

Sundance Bookstore & Music
Enjoy Irish music and food along with photos and stories of Stacey Spain's trip to Ireland for FREE.  Simply show up at Sundance Bookstore, located at 1155 W Fourth Street in Reno on St. Patrick's Day (March 17, 2010) at 6:30pm.  They'll take care of the rest.  For more info, please call 775-786-1188.

The Amendment Parking Lot Party
Beginning at 11am on March 17, the Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar (425 S Virginia St, Reno) will serve traditional corned beef and cabbage and Irish coffee.  With bars both inside and out, Celtic band 317 will perform at 6pm and DJ JDUB will continue the St. Paddy's Day festivities well into the evening.

Shamrock Shave
If you're looking for a unique way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and help a worthwhile charity, come to the Ole Bridge Pub (50 N Sierra St, downtown Reno) for the Shamrock Shave, a fundraiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation.  St. Baldrick's is a non-profit organization that supports cancer research for children.  Participants in the Shamrock Shave actually shave their heads.  The fun begins at 1pm on March 17th and includes a raffle, best dressed contest and lots of adult beverages of the Irish and English types.

Of course, there are plenty of pubs and bars that will be hosting green beer, Irish music and lots of adult fun.  So, RTC Ride will be offering free rides from 6pm til midnight on St. Patrick's Day (March 17, 2010).  And the always free Sierra SPIRIT (downtown Reno's bus system) will extend their hours to midnight so that you can enjoy St. Paddy's Day in a safe and sane manner.  Visit RTC's website to learn more about their Safe Ride Program.

As you can see, there are so many fun things to do over the next week to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Reno.  Just make sure you enjoy the festivities in a safe manner.  Don't drink and drive.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!