BATH — Main Street Bath’s fourth annual Blarney Days kicks off Sunday with a pig roast from noon to 9 p.m. at Beale Street Barbeque and an Irish sing-along from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Byrnes Irish Pub. Both establishments are on Water Street.
Bath Blarney Days festivities run through March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.
“The city will celebrate all things Irish with a week of festivities as we march, sing, run, eat, drink, enjoy family activities and welcome spring with the ‘wearin’ o’ the green,’” a Main Street Bath release states.
Byrnes Irish Pub will conduct an Irish Sessiun from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, followed by Irish trivia on Tuesday evening.
On March 16 and 17, downtown retailers will hold a March Madness Sale with “green tag” items, discounts and demonstrations.
An evening of free Irish culture will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 16 at City Hall Auditorium. The event will feature Irish poetry, music and art.
Irish- American poets Marita O’Neill, Michael Machlin and Helene McGlauflin will read selections of their work, interspersed with Celtic music by Sharon Pyne and friends. Michael Connelly will give a brief talk about the history of the Irish in Maine, and show slides of Ireland’s castles. Tea and scones will be served.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 16, the Maeve Gilchrist Trio will perform at the Chocolate Church Arts Center on Washington Street.
Events will be held throughout the day on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. The shenanigans begin at 9 a. m. with a family “fun run,” followed by a 5K “Shamrock Sprint” at 9:30 a.m. The race is sponsored by the Morse Sports Boosters to benefit Fields for Our Future. Entry forms can be picked up at the Bath Recreation Department or downloaded at visitbath.com.
At 11 a.m., Bath’s fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, purportedly the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Maine, will proceed through the downtown from Middle Street, turning east on Centre Street and north on Front Street, concluding with an Irish blessing at the gazebo in City Park.
A tug o’ war will begin at Bath City Hall at 1 p.m., and an Irish Soda Bread contest will be held at Now You’re Cooking on Front Street. Entries must be dropped off by 1 p.m. for the 1:30 p.m. judging.
The celebration will conclude with a “Blarney Ball” from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. March 17 at the Winter Street Center, 880 Washington St. The Big Chips Trio will provide music. The ball also will offer dancing, light refreshments and desserts, a cash bar and door prizes. Tickets cost $15 per person and benefit Sagadahoc Preservation Inc.
A downtown “Pot o’ Gold Passport Challenge” is under way. To play, pick up a passport and visit all participating businesses to have your passport stamped, then return the completed passport by March 18 to the ballot box in the lobby of Bath City Hall. A winner will be drawn from all completed entries on March 19. Passports are available at the Main Street Bath office at 15 Commercial St., and at participating downtown businesses.
For a complete list of activities, visit the Main Street Bath website at www.visitbath.com.
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