There’s an old Irish adage or cheer that wishes everyone a well-lived life. “Here’s to a long life and a merry one,” is a toast by many Irish gentlemen and is an excellent description to the festivities planned for St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17, in Ocean Springs.
Ocean Springs is usually a quiet, charming town where many dreaming of retiring to or those that live there are very glad they do, but the town will be painted green and the music will be turned up loud as revelers celebrate the holiday whether they are Irish or don’t have a drop of Irish blood in their bodies. The celebration will be even grander this year and much needed after the tragedy and despair the world has seen for the last few years. So slip into the Irish green leprechaun costume or any kind of green (so you don’t get pinched) and have some fun and good times as the community celebrates its 12th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.
Whether you’re for the music and dancing or the delicious food and drinks, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. The highlights of the party will be the pub crawl and a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pascagoula. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and last until 9 p.m. in the beautiful downtown area of Ocean springs.
The unique and lovely local shops and galleries will offer “green” specials on certain items so that you can get a memento to remember your jolly good time in the quaint town of Ocean Springs. There will also be restaurants and bars in the downtown region that will feature green or Irish inspired specials, and you’ll be serenaded by lots of live music, including Irish and a bit of other great music.
Even though It isn’t officially called the “pub crawl” anymore, visitors and guests are invited to enjoy the festivities of the evening starting at 5 p.m., with local bars, restaurants, and vendors offering drink specials and an assortment of live music at participating locales in the town.
Coinciding with Pascagoula’s Third Friday event, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 5 pm, beginning at the corner of Watts Avenue and Magnolia Street, traveling east on Watts, north on Pascagoula Street, west on Delmas Avenue, and south on Magnolia returning to where the parade began. The parade is always a great time for everyone. So get in the spirit of the festivities and don your Irish costume or green suspenders and cap, or anything green really, and come enjoy the fun. The floats are always decorated in a lovely fashion and everyone is in good spirits as they crank up the tunes. Come on out and try to catch some beads, doubloons, trinkets and toys, and even vegetables to make a dinner featuring lots of Irish goods, including cabbages, potatoes, carrots, and more. That sounds like the perfect ingredients for a delicious Irish stew.
During the day, you can enjoy the beauty of the city as you check some of gorgeous arts and crafts created by some of the most talented artists and artisans in the state. There will also be live music all day and food and drink vendors and specials to add to the merriment of the occasion. Despite the fact that this Irish holiday was established to honor Saint Patrick of Ireland, the largest festivities are held in the United States, and Ocean Springs always adds class and charm to the season’s fun. There are many events lined up for the day so check out your local media sites to see what’s going on so you don’t miss any of the fun.
Ocean Springs promises that “you can opt for anything and everything to make the most of your holiday.” Come enjoy the distinguished St. Patrick’s Day Parade and soak up the culture of this elegant coastal town and the Irish culture as well. Enjoy the playing of the bagpipes (even if they do make you a bit misty eyed at times), take part in the unofficial pub crawl, and everyone will delight in the antics of the leprechauns as they have magically turned the rivers green and take in a view of the green fountains in Ocean Springs. They festivities has a little bit of everything that everyone will enjoy. This year will mark the 1st Bike Night and St. Patty’s Day fun lasting from 6 to 8 pm. If the music has captured your soul for the day, you might want to try out your vocals at The Pub Sports Bar “St. Patrick Karaoke” beginning at 10 pm.
On Friday night, you’ll get another chance to catch a St. Patrick’s Day parade presented by Main Street Pascagoula and O’Blarney Society. The floats roll at 7:30 and all the fun will begin as another day of celebrating and socializing is planned. The parade route begins at the corner of Watts Avenue and Magnolia Street, travels east on Watts, north on Pascagoula Street, west on Delmas Avenue, and south on Magnolia, returning where the parade began.
This very fun day of festivities is hosted by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce along with several local businesses. Come enjoy all the Irish and St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans and shake your shamrocks for a delightful weekend of fun for everyone in Ocean Springs.