By Colleen Morrison
Don your finest green, practice your bagpipe skills and hunt for a lucky four-leaf clover … it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s how Hunterdon is celebrating this year:
Hunterdon County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Main St., Clinton
When: Sunday, March 13, 3:00 p.m.
The 2016 Hunterdon County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Main St. in Clinton on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 p.m. Hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (FSSP), the parade will feature over 50 marching units including five pipe and drum bands and the North Hunterdon High School Marching Band. An all-ages after party hosted by the FSSP will be held at the Clinton Firehouse immediately following the parade with food, drink, live music and live dancers until 7 p.m.
Parade After Party: Adults (21+) – $20, Children 13-20 – $10, Children 12 and under – free
Buy tickets at www.fssphunterdon.com.
While you’re in town for the parade, check out Clinton’s downtown shops, like Bill Healy Designs for authentic Irish crystal, and eateries for a quick bite. For something sweet, J.J. Scoops will have Irish-coffee-flavored ice cream on “tap,” while Just Chill Frozen Yogurt & Creperie will donate 10% of its proceeds from the day to FSSP. Or, for an afternoon pick-me-up, Riverside Coffee & Tea is featuring St. Patrick’s specials all month, including its take on the Shamrock Shake, Chocolate Mint Latte and Irish Morning Tea.
Inn of the Hawke
Where: 74 S. Union St., Lambertville
When: Friday, March 11 – Thursday, March 24
Lambertville’s Inn of the Hawke usually serves American fare in an old-world, English pub atmosphere, but for two weeks in March, its strictly an Irish tavern. Its menu will include traditional Irish meals like corned beef and cabbage, steak and Guinness Pie, Irish lamb stew, and shepherd’s pie.
The Inn will also host traditional Irish breakfast on Sunday, March 13 and Sunday, March 20 featuring bangers, rashers, ham, potato pancakes, baked beans, eggs and Irish soda bread with blackberry butter.
The Inn’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration is on Thursday, March 17 featuring drink specials and performances by Traonach playing traditional Irish music from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Reservations are required for dinner seatings at 6:00/6:30 and 8:30/9:00.
Cryan’s
Where: 2 Beaver Ave, Annandale
When: Sunday, March 13/Thursday March 17
Enjoy $5 Guinness Blonde pints all month long.
Immediately following the Hunterdon County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Clinton, head to Cryan’s for corned beef dinner specials and live performances by the Celtic Rebels and the Somerset County Bagpipers.
On St. Patrick’s Day proper, enjoy corned beef dinner and drink specials, and performances starting at 6:00/7:00 by the Irish folk duo Clan Suibhne and the Somerset County Bagpipers.
Mitchell’s Cafe
Where: 11 Church St., Lambertville
When: Wednesday, March 16
The intimate, no-frills Mitchell’s Cafe features live, authentic Irish music every first and third Wednesday of the month. Stop by in the evening, grab a drink, and enjoy a little Irish fellowship on St. Patrick’s Day Eve.
The Farmhouse at the Grand Colonial
Where: 86 Rt. 173 West, Hampton
When: Thursday, March 17
Eat, drink and be Irish at The Farmhouse at The Grand Colonial‘s special St. Patrick’s day buffet featuring everyone’s favorite Irish dishes, live Celtic music and Irish drafts. Hosted in the Perryville room at $30 per person, the buffet will include shepherd’s pie, corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Irish soda bread, cold salads and an assortment of pastries and cookies.
Nik’s Wunderbar
Where: 454 Rt. 22 West, Readington
When: Thursday, March 17
Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Nik’s Wunderbar, Hunterdon’s resident Bavarian biergarten, is getting in on the Irish spirit with green beer and all-day drink specials on Guinness, Bushmill and Jameson, among others, as well as serving corned beef and cabbage and hosting some fun giveaways.
Milford Oyster House
Where: 92 Water St., Milford
When: Thursday, March 17
Enjoy a Guinness on draft over a plate of corned beef and cabbage in this cozy tavern. Or break from the traditional and try one of Milford Oyster House’s Zagat-rated seafood dishes instead!
The Bridge Cafe
Where: 8 Bridge St., Frenchtown
When: Thursday, March 17
If can’t wait until dinner and looking for a lunchtime fix of Irish fare, The Bridge Cafe will have corned beef included in its daily specials!
Theresa’s Cafe
Where: 117 Broad St., Flemington
When: Thursday, March 17
Don’t feel like cooking the corned beef yourself but also don’t want to eat out? Theresa’s Cafe has you covered with a full St. Patrick’s Day feast of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and Irish soda bread made fresh and prepared to be enjoyed at home. Order by 2 p.m. on March 14 to be ready for pick-up between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. Call 908-788-8886.
Irish Jigolos at Lambertville CUMC
Where: 108 N. Union St., Lambertville
When: Saturday, March 19, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Lambertville’s Centenary United Methodist Church will be hosting an evening of Irish fun with local band The Irish Jigolos on Saturday, March 19. The $12 entry fee for adults covers seeing the band as well as enjoying an Irish feast of corned beef, cabbage and more.
Flemington Irish Music Session
Where: 2 Stangl Rd., Flemington
When: Sunday, March 20, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Join Patrick Clifford and friends as they celebrate with an eclectic mix of traditional Irish, Celtic and folk songs at their twice monthly Irish Music Session at Factory Fuel Co. from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Musicians, singers, dancers and fans of all ages are invited to attend.
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