Irish views and sweaters are beautiful – and you needn’t travel all the way to the Aran Islands to get them.
Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay is packed, and folks of all ages and backgrounds jostle jovially for a spot near the curb. My husband, daughter and I are gathered as well, though instead of waiting in the cold for the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade to start, we duck into the warmth of Inn at Cedar Crossing and order a couple of Irish coffees at the bar. It’s a Saturday morning in March, and Door County visitors and natives alike are excited for a reason to gather on the sidewalks and toast their true and adopted heritages. Back out on the sidewalk, we bump into our friends Chris and Megan. Fellow hibernophiles who also have some distant Irish heritage, we immediately begin trading stories about our time in Ireland.
It’s not long before we hear the strains of music. The parade advances with a merry and decidedly green collection of local marching bands, homemade floats, fire trucks, leashed dogs, local politicians and even stock cars. Miss Door County waves serenely, and St. Patrick himself wishes a grand day to all.
In 2020, the Sturgeon Bay St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place the weekend before the holiday, on Saturday, March 14th at 11 a.m. After the parade, the party continues at Kitty O’Reilly’s Irish Pub with delicious traditional food and live music until 8 p.m. Stone Harbor Resort serves up hot corned beef and cabbage to celebrate the day.
Parade Distance from the Blacksmith Inn: Driveable in 34 minutes (21.9 miles)
Cost: Free to attend
Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. To look the part and stay cozy, too, visit O’Meara’s Irish House in Fish Creek. O’Meara’s is a quaint boutique gift shop with the finest items from the Emerald Isle. From wool sweaters from the Aran Islands to handcrafted jewelry from Ireland, O’Meara’s has beautiful goods and gifts to make your day more Irish.
Distance from the Blacksmith Inn: Driveable in 12 minutes (7.6 miles)
Several Baileys Harbor establishments will celebrate the holiday. The Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub prepares its corned beef and cabbage every year. The steamy dish is served up hot all day long, and it’s “absolutely delicious!”
Distance from the Blacksmith Inn: Walkable in 1 minute (450 feet)
Door County Brewing Company Taproom & Music Hall is always a festive locale, and the Tuesday of St. Patrick’s Day will be no exception. The holiday coincides with “Local Tuesday,” a lively weeknight party that changes weekly; past eves have included trivia and tacos or bring-your-own vinyl records. Be sure to check the brewing company’s Facebook page for full details on their St. Patrick’s Day plans.
Distance from the Blacksmith Inn: Walkable in 1 minute (0.2 miles)
Planning a green weekend? Be sure to reserve your room at the Blacksmith Inn on the Shore and relax over a hot cup of tea after celebrating the luck of the Irish.
