It’s almost time to put on green, which is the traditional way to avoid being pinched by a leprechaun, according to Irish folklore. If you wear green, you are invisible to the little mischief makers. Once you’re dressed appropriately, here are some events to consider over the next few days.
(Read more: Rock the Riverfront, Opera Extravaganza, and Circus on Ice among the weekend’s highlights)
Friday Food Truck: After inclement weather caused the previous food cart to be canceled on Friday, March 3, the next batch is scheduled for 11am-3pm Friday at Chattanooga’s Kitchen Sitter, 5704 Marilyn Street, adjacent to the Eastgate Mall. Eighteen trucks will serve the majors. As a reward, the chefs will participate in a contest for the best potato menu item, to be judged by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union representatives. facebook.com/KitchenIncChatt
– St. Patrick’s Day is dead on deck It’s 5-8:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St. The show features local Grateful Dead tribute band Chants in the Void. Tickets are $10. barrelhouseballroom.com
– St. Patrick’s Day Underground Happening at 8 p.m. Friday at The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Way, Pelham, Tenn. The Nashville Seals will be joined by Irish dancers and other guests. Tickets $55. thecaverns.com
– St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl, A Highlander Pipes & Drums tradition, it takes place over two nights at 19 venues around town, all of which will celebrate the holiday before and after the band arrives. Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, the musicians will appear at Feed Co. , Nic & Norman, Gate 11 Distillery, Leapin’ Leprechaun, Stevarino’s, Mike’s Hole in the Wall, Southside Social, Chattanooga Billiard Club in downtown, and CBC East. Starting Saturday afternoon, they’ll play Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson, Diamond Billiard Club, Sweet Melissa, Doc Holidays, and Feed Co. events. Leapin’ Leprechaun, Puckett’s, Mellow Mushroom, Walk-Ons, and Sing It or Wing It. A Facebook post says they will spend approximately 20 minutes at each site. Stops are listed in order, although organizers say there’s always a chance of last-minute cancellation or addition. facebook.com/alhambrahighlanders
St. Patrick’s Day party At Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. , will be based at Gate 11 Distillery and Nic & Norman. The fun starts at 6pm on Fridays with the Joey Winslett Band, Highlander Pipes & Drums and The Red Rogues. The music goes on until 11pm with no cover. The Red Rogues will be back at Gate 11 Distillery 7-10pm on Saturday to play more Celtic Trad, Punk Rock and Originals. facebook.com/gate11distillery, facebook.com/nicandnormanschatt
– Shamrock 100, A late model stock car race featuring World of Outlaws drivers, taking place over two nights at Boyd’s Speedway, 1481 Scruggs Road, Ringgold, Ga. On Friday, the pits will open at 2pm, grandstands at 5pm, hot courses start at 7pm. Friday ticket prices are $30 ($25 if purchased in advance) for adults in the stands, $10 for children 6-12 and free for younger children. Hole tickets $40. On Saturday, the pit gates will open at 2 p.m., the grandstands at 4 p.m., the autograph session with drivers will be at 5 p.m., and the hot rides will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 ($30 if purchased in advance) for adults in the stands, $10 kids ages 6-12 and free for younger kids. Hole tickets $45. boydsspeedway.com
Saint Patrick’s Day Festival: Dunlap, Tennessee, will hold this inaugural event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Daylight Savings Time Saturday at Harris Park, 245 Cedar Street, and will feature live music, artists, food trucks, crafts, and kids’ activities. Admission and parking are free, though donations to Friends of the Park are welcome. Questions? Email [email protected]
– St. Elmo Makers Market St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at The Tap House, 3800 St. Elmo Ave. Presented by The Secret Garden, a tropical plant store, this season’s first market will feature 25 vendors, music and specialty drinks. facebook.com/taphousechatt
St. Paddy’s Concert on the Parkway: This special block party takes place from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday outside The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Parkway. Two stages will cycle through more than 10 musical acts. Performances by the Magic Tapestry belly dance troupe, arts and crafts, and food vendors are also scheduled. Advance tickets are $15 at soundcorps.org/events. General admission tickets will be available at the gate for $25. Proceeds will go to SoundCorps, a nonprofit organization working to build the local music economy and the professional careers of local music industry professionals.
Shamrock City It concludes this week at Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Ulta is the featured band, and the Chattanooga Pipe Band, bassist Rachel Payne and euphonium player Cassie Case will also perform. Visitors can dig for gold and other treasure, see a Suffolk sheep and a Highland cow at Bagby’s Critter Corral, and get a picture drawn by cartoonist Dennis Hart. A deep dive into Irish culture also includes live music, food and drink, and the waters of High Falls are colored green for the occasion. Hours of operation are 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors must purchase timed entry tickets online to guarantee admission. seerockcity.com/shamrock
(Read more: Doug Chapin Becomes Rock City’s Fourth Generation Leader)
Chattanooga Flute Association He will present a program of St. Patrick’s Day music at two shows: at 2 p.m. on Sundays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave.; and 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. The program will include traditional Irish and Celtic melodies as well as works by Catherine MacMichael and “The Legend of Lech Owen”, which will highlight the choir’s low flute section. facebook.com/chattanoogaflutes
Contact Lisa Denton at [email protected] or 423-757-6281.