When you think of a city that really celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, you think of Madison, right? Apparently, yes, as Madison somehow ranks higher than Milwaukee in this category.

Well, even though we’re not at the caliber of a Chicago or a Boston, we do have a lot of events. Here are some highlights: (more…)

When you think of a city that really celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, you think of Madison, right? Ha! Well, even though we’re not at the caliber of a Chicago or a Boston, we have a surprising amount of events. Here are some highlights:

WJJO/Miller Lite .10K Run/Walk (Saturday, March 10): Each year on the Saturday before St. Patty’s Day, 1,200 people “race” from State Street Brats to Wando’s (we used to run to Brother’s before it closed). This takes place after they’ve been drinking since 9 a.m. of course. The partying continues throughout the day at Kollege Klub, Church Key, Double U and Whiskey Jacks.

Bud Light St. Patrick’s Day Regent Crawl (Saturday, March 10): Bagpipers will lead this bar crawl that starts at noon at Sconniebar and heads east down Regent Street. There will of course be specials on Bud and some giveaways, too.

Shamrock Shuffle (Saturday, March 17): If you want to do a race longer than one block, Saturday’s trot through campus is for you. The 5K/10K run and 2M walk to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County and the Children’s Dyslexia Center starts at 10 a.m. at the 400 block of State Street and includes a post-race party.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Saturday, March 17): I actually had class with Katie O’Phelan, the originator of the annual march around the Capitol Square, now in its 21st year. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and the grand marshal is Peter Kraus from the “Bachelorette.”

Endless live music and parties: Pick a bar, any bar, and you’ll likely find live entertainment on March 17. Here are a few examples:

• Erin’s Snug has the Troy Shanks Duo
• High Noon has the Kissers
• Gates & Brovi has The Old Tin Can String Band
• Lazy Oaf Lounge has Saturday Morning Cartel
• The Come Back In, Wisco and Ruby have a band-bar crawl
• The East Side Club has a St. Pat’s Eve Fest (March 11)
• Brocach has the Kissers (March 15)

Time for a challenge: complete all the stereotypical St. Patrick’s Day tasks below. Have fun and good luck!

• Watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade on the Capitol Square
• Eat at least two of the following items at a local restaurant:
  • Corned beef and cabbage
  • Irish soda bread
  • Irish stew
  • Shepherd’s pie
  • Lucky Charms (bonus if you can find them)
• Consume at least two of the following drinks at a local bar:
  • Green beer
  • Irish car bomb
  • Jameson, 2 Gingers or Red Breast (shot, neat or on-the-rocks)
  • Guinness, Murphy’s or Harp beer
  • McDonald’s Shamrock Shake
• Have at least one drink before noon (anytime during the week)
• Take a picture with someone wearing a “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” T-shirt
• Wear a green St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt with some other funny slogan
• Participate in an organized walk/run of any length (e.g. Shamrock Shuffle, WJJO .10K Race, etc.)
• Wear green beads. Bonus if they have a shot glass attached to them.
• Spot someone dressed as a leprechaun
• Listen to live bagpipe music. Bonus if the song is something other than “Scotland the Brave”
• See any other live band
• Don’t wear a jacket when you go out because it’s March and should be a lot warmer

Consider yourself someone who really gets into the “traditional” St. Patrick’s Day celebration if you can complete at least  75 percent of this list.