


From a short and sweet annual parade, a pet-inclusive happy hour at Boulder Social and plenty of bangers and mash, there are a bunch of fun activities going on along the Front Range for revelers to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day this weekend.
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, may fall on a Monday this year, but the party gets started early this weekend.
The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to Boulder at 11 a.m. Saturday, hosted by the Boulder chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The parade will march along the 1500 block of Pearl Street, between 15th and 16th streets.
“Around St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish, which means everyone is welcome,” said parade coordinator Mary Rios.
The Boulder St. Patrick’s Day parade festivities, which will include a beer garden, food vendors and live music, will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy the spirited atmosphere and learn more about Irish culture. In true Boulder tradition, the parade will march its very short, one-block procession at noon.
What makes this the shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world?
Boulder does not hold an official record since other cities, including Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Wellsville, New York, share the title, but Boulder’s event is definitely in the running as its parade spans just one block. The march is also short, timewise, but full of spectacle — including Irish dancers, bagpipers, hula dancers and the iconic Paddy O’ Furniture Drill team, known for a unique combination of lawn furniture dancing set to music. The drill team has been going strong since the parade was launched in 2000 and it is comprised of friends and family members who put together a synchronized routine using vintage lawn chairs.
The parade has a storied tradition in Boulder that has spanned more than two decades. Back in its heyday, starting in the early-aughts, two blocks of 13th Street, in front of the now-defunct Conor O’Neill’s pub, would run green for almost 15 minutes. When the iconic Irish pub shut its doors in 2017, the parade took up a short residence at the (also) now-defunct Boulder Beer taphouse in downtown Boulder.
Now that the Odd Fellows have picked up the pieces and taken the parad’s reins, the group has been hosting the annual event on Pearl Street — where the parade marches in its traditional brevity — for the past couple of years, The beer garden, vendors, traditional food spots and family-friendly festivities will be held between Spruce and Pearl Street.
In a peaceful clash of the titans, the Boulder International Film Festival is also in town this weekend. The beloved film event — this year hosting big celebrities like comedian Jane Lynch, fashion icon Kenneth Cole, Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh and more — runs through Sunday and will film more than 60 films in venues across Boulder and Longmont. (Find its full schedule at biff1.com.)
But Rios only sees a rainbow at the end of a pot of gold with this weekend mashup.
“The parade and the film festival will complement each other,” Rios said. “Where else in the world can you see a parade and a film in the same day?” Rios said.
The festival brings new and emerging filmmakers from all over the world to share their work in Boulder.
The pedestrian-friendly parade will include its traditional same cast of characters, so be on the lookout for the Boulder Cruisers, dashingly dressed Irish Wolfhounds and plenty of dancers, including the McTeggart Irish Dancers, the only traditional Irish step-dancing school in Boulder.
Revelers can catch the Irish dancers all around the county this weekend. At 10 a.m. Saturday, the dancers will perform for 30 minutes at WOW! Children’s Museum, 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette. The performance is free with museum admission ($7-$13). Buy tickets at wowchildrensmuseum.org.
At noon the step dancers will kick up the party a couple of notches at the World’s Shortest Parade on Pearl Street, followed immediately by a performance at The Odd Fellows building, 1543 Pearl St., Boulder, near the beer garden. At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the dancers will put on two performances at St. Patrick’s Day at the Rayback Collective, 2775 Valmont Road, Boulder. The Rayback party runs from 3 to 9 p.m.
The McTeggart dancers will entertain runners at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Lucky Leprechaun 5K Fun Run that kicks off at Twisted Pine Brewing Company, 3201 Walnut St., Suite A, Boulder. (The run starts at 9 a.m.)
Now, let’s hear if for the dogs. For its second year in a row, Boulder Social, 1600 38th St., Boulder, is hosting a St. Patrick’s-themed puppy parade and costume contest. Last year the event brought in around 60 dogs and 150 people, said Amber Winston, marketing and communications director for Concept Restaurants, a group that includes Boulder Social.
This parade will span a bit farther, distance-wise, than the Pearl Street parade. Owners will take their festive puppies around Arapahoe Avenue and 38th Street. For those looking to bring furry friends, check-in starts at 11 a.m. The parade will start marching at 1 p.m., allowing viewers enough time to experience both Boulder parades.
The Boulder Social is also requesting a $10 donation per dog registered in exchange for a complimentary beer. Proceeds will benefit Boulder’s POSO Dog Rescue, which will be on site to answer any questions about adoption — and will have some adoptable dogs on hand for anybody who wants a new furry friend.
Here are the festivities going on around the county for St. Patrick’s Day.
Boulder
Green Eggs and Ham Day >> Meet at Cassiopeia for yoga by CorePower followed by green egg and pork belly sandwiches, custom trucker hats and green egg merch; 11 a.m. Sunday, Cassiopeia, 3401 Bluff St., Suite 125, Boulder; free; strava.com.
Lucky Leprechaun 5K >> At this 5K fun run, Denver’s traditional Irish Band Avourneen and Boulder’s McTeggart Irish Dancers will keep everyone entertained. Savory Cuisines Catering will provide Irish breakfast burritos, and there will be a great selection of Twisted Pine’s beer to choose from after the race; 9 a.m. Sunday, Twisted Pine Brewing, 3201 Walnut St., Boulder; twistedpinebrewing.com.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig >> Enjoy a family-friendly day of traditional Irish music, dance, food and drink. Traditional Irish session with regional troubadours will be on stage until 4 p.m., then The Safehouse with Sky Kelsey and friends will take the stage at 4:30 p.m. In-house childcare will be offered for $35 per child; 2 p.m. Sunday, The Riverside, 1724 Broadway, Boulder; $20-$25; tickettailor.com.
The High Kings with David Howley at Boulder Theater >> The High Kings, comprising of Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Paul O’ Brien and Brian
Dunphy, have held the position as the distinctive voice of Irish folk music across the world for the last 15 years. They will be joined by David Howley of We Banjo 3 for this show; 8 p.m. Wednesday, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder; z2ent.com.
Longmont
St. Patrick’s Weekend>> Enjoy corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, Irish tacos, Irish beef stew, green beer and other featured drinks all weekend long; Pumphouse Brewery, 540 Main St., Longmont; pumphousebrewery.com.
The Luck of Longmont >> Wear your best green outfit and get ready for a day full of Irish music, delicious food and festive drinks. The night of food and good fortune will feature a live performance from Denver’s “Celt-grass band” Banthom House, a three-person band that specializes in jigs, reels and traditional bluegrass tunes, 10 a.m. Saturday, Johnson’s Station, 1111 Neon Forest Circle, Longmont; johnsonsstation.com.
St. Patrick’s Day at Parkway: >> Get ready for a shamrockin’ good time with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration filled with live music, delicious food and Irish-inspired drinks to keep the festivities going all night long. There will be live music by Bearhat, a bunch of festive cocktails, pastrami reubens and a Little Leprechauns’ Pot O’ Gold Scavenger Hunt for the kids; 11 a.m.; Parkway Food Hall,700 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont; parkwayfoodhall.com.
Paint & Sip >> This creative and fun-filled afternoon will have participants painting a St. Paddy Highland cow. Participants will be painting on a 16-inch-by-20-inch canvas with acrylic paints. Guided step-by-step instruction will be provided by a local artist. The Highland cow will be pre-traced to make the painting experience enjoyable for all skill levels; 2 p.m. Saturday, Knuckle Puck Brewing, 13782 E. I-25 Frontage Road, Unit B1, Longmont; $40; eventbrite.com.
St. Patrick’s Weekend at Left Hand Brewing >> Get excited for two days of stouts, shenanigans and soulful tunes. Longmont’s Desert Furs take the stage with an electrifying blend of psychedelic rock, infused with funky grooves inspired by the iconic sounds of the ’60s and ’70s at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, check out Mountain Reverb bringing its smooth jams at 3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, Left Hand Tasting Room, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont; lefthandbrewing.com.
St. Patrick’s Day at 300 Suns >> Enjoy house-made corned beef and rye and Irish drink specials while supplies last. There will be a sing-along with Kevin Dooley, John Bunzli, Jeanne McAdara and the Irish Table O’Singers. Best-dressed prize will be awarded at 7 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. Monday, 300 Suns, 335 First Ave., Unit C, Longmont; 300sunsbrewing.com.
Lafayette
St. Patrick’s Family Fun Day >> Bounce Empire is celebrating St. Patty’s Day in a big way. Bring the whole family and join the festivities for Luck of the Irish. All attendees will enjoy free Irish hats, lively music and a green (age-appropriate) drink; Sunday and Monday, Bounce Empire, 1380 S. Public Road, Lafayette; $14-$34; feverup.com.
Louisville
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration>> Attend the third annual party by Tri City Elks. There will be food, dancers, an Irish pub-style music session and more; 4 p.m. Saturday, Tri-City Elks Lodge, 525 Main St., Louisville.
Pot O’Gold Gala >> Get ready to tap those toes and feel the rhythm as talented Irish dancers take the floor to perform traditional jigs. This festive event, a senior luncheon, promises a delightful blend of Irish traditions, music and good company. Savor the flavor of Ireland with a St. Patrick’s event menu featuring classics like corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread; noon Monday, Louisville Recreation & Senior Center, Brooks & Crown Rooms, 900 Via Appia Way, Louisville; free-$15.25; louisvilleco.gov.
Nederland
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration >> Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a potluck and live Celtic music from The Gael Again. Potluck starts at 5 p.m., and music starts at 6 p.m.; 5 p.m. Monday, Very Nice Brewing Company, 20 Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland; verynicebrewing.com.
Jamestown
Sturtz Patrick’s Day>> Sturtz’s music stands out for its distinctive, soothing instrumental and vocal harmonies. The acoustic quartet from Boulder — Andrew Sturtz (vocals and guitar), Courtlyn Carpenter (cello and harmonies), Will Kuepper (bass and harmonies) and Jim Herlihy (banjo and harmonies) — is serene and folksy, with melodic vocals soaring over the lower string instrumentals; 7 p.m. Monday, Jamestown Mercantile, 108 Main St., Jamestown; jamestownmercantile.com.
Lauren Farrauto contributed to this story.