Eureka Springs St. Patrick's Day Events

As the old saying goes, "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough!" For the rest of us, St. Patrick's Day, March 17 and one of Eureka Springs' major holidays, is a chance to be Irish in spirit if not in genealogy.

St. Patrick (circa 340 to 460 AD) was a Roman Britain-born Christian missionary, and is one of the three patron saints of Ireland, along with St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Columba. Patrick, captured by Irish raiders at age 16 and taken from his native Wales to Ireland as a slave, lived there six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the church, he returned to Ireland as a missionary. By the eighth century he had become the patron saint of Ireland.

It appears Patrick was active as a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century. Two letters from him survive, along with later hagiographies -- books of saints' lives -- from the seventh century onward.

Pious legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, though all evidence suggests that post-glacial Ireland never had snakes. One suggestion is that snakes referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druids of that era. Legend also credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, or three-leaf clover, using it as a metaphor for that Christian belief.

March 17 is believed to be his death date and is the date celebrated as his feast day. St. Patrick has never been formally canonized by a Pope. Even so, various Christian churches declare that he is a Saint in Heaven and he is in the List of Saints. He is still widely venerated in Ireland and elsewhere today.

Eureka Springs St. Patricks Day Events

County Judge Sam Barr will be honored as Grand Marshal for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 14. The parade will roll at 2 p.m.

Eureka Springs highschooler Amanda Knapp will be honored as the Krewe of Blarney's Sweet Sixteen Colleen.

In addition, Joe Easton will be recognized for having founded the "All Star Kazoo & Free Form Marching Band," which will make its 15th appearance this year, in a private "Roast and Toast" before the parade, administered, complete with Irish serenades, by the Kaptains Klub of the Krewe of Blarney.

The Kaptains Klub, along with the Rowdy Beaver Restaurant, will host an after-parade "Corn Beef and Cabbage" open table for float riders and registered parade units.

On St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, Joe Easton will lead the "All Star Kazoo & Free Form Marching Band" in the annual Pub Crawl from Chelsea's to the Cathouse Lounge and back.
Participants should meet at Chelsea's that day at 3 p.m. or anytime before.

Information courtesy of Lovely County Citizen