Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day

By MICHAEL LYLE
VIEW STAFF WRITER

Members of local pipe and drum bands play during last year?s Southern Nevada Sons of Erin St. Patrick?s Day Parade. This year?s parade is set for 10 a.m. Saturday on Water Street in Henderson. Pipe and drum bands are expected at the parade and at other venues in the valley this week in honor of St. Patrick?s Day.F. Andrew TAYLOR/VIEW file photo

With shamrocks in hand, residents are invited to participate in valleywide St. Patrick's Day celebrations and make their own luck this week.
The valley is going green in celebration of the Irish holiday that honors St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.
"He was a British fellow," said Dona Brown, the entertainment coordinator and member of Southern Nevada Sons of Erin. "He taught the druids and pagans about Christianity."
Centuries later, various venues around the city are ready to offer Irish-themed events.
From Thursday through Sunday, the city of Henderson is hosting the 45th annual Southern Nevada Sons of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St.
"Everybody needs to come out and be Irish for the day," said Brown. "If you aren't Irish, you will be by the time you leave."
The four-day extravaganza includes the signature parade, going to the theme of "Shamrocks and Shillelaghs," with more than 100 entries including festive floats, Celtic dancers, bagpipers and marching bands. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday on Water Street.
All four days also include family-friendly entertainment with a carnival from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
"There's going to be a variety of games for all ages and skill levels," said Nicole Johnson with the city of Henderson.
Food demonstrations and tasting contests also are planned.
Admission is free, but carnival games and rides require paid admission.
Live entertainment is slated to be on the events plaza stage from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and includes performances from Brown, who teaches basic Irish step dancing, and music from Killian's Angels, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, and Finnegan's Wake.
"The Irish jig is my favorite part of the celebration," said Brown. "It is fun to see people get up and try to learn how to do it."