All of the details on what to look forward to for St.Patrick’s Day: 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party @ Siné, Shamrock the Block 2009 @ 17th Street Farmer’s Market, 24th Annual Church Hill Irish Festival @ 25th and Broad Street…

10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party

Siné Irish Pub & Restaurant (1327 E. Cary St.)
Friday-Saturday, March 13th-14th
Friday 9pm-2am, Saturday 12:00pm-2am,
No cover charge before 1pm

The party starts Friday with live music by Richmond’s own U2 cover band Even Better Than the Real Thing. The come back when the pub opens on Saturday at noon for more live music with William Walter & Company, Naughty Little Monkey and Broken Monday. Rain or shine the party goes on inside and outside in the Patio Pub under the tent. Celebrate St. Pat’s all weekend long! You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this party. Come sip an ice cold beverage and taste some delicious pub food, like Irish nachos, fish ‘n chips or corned beef and cabbage. Live music, fun, food and plenty of your favorite beverages – green and gold! For more information visit www.sineirishpub.com or call 649-7767.

Shamrock the Block 2009

17th Street Farmers’ Market in Shockoe Bottom
Free admission, 12pm–6pm
Saturday, March 14th

Richmond’s answer to cabin fever is back! The 6th Annual Shamrock the Block regularly draws thousands of fun loving Richmonders for the all day music fest. This year’s festival plans on putting the “rock” back in shamrock. Starting at noon, several of Richmond’s favorite local bands are set to take center stage along with plenty of green and golden beverages for everyone. For the kids, there are games and entertainment along with lots of local vendors with an emphasis on “the green”, so bring the whole family. Pets are welcome! This exciting annual event benefits Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). For more information visit www.shamrocktheblock.com or call 804-304-6870. Sponsored by Bud Light, Y101, 965KLR, and Mix 103.7.

24th Annual Church Hill Irish Festival

Church Hill (St. Patrick’s Church on N. 25th Street between Broad and Franklin Streets)
Saturday-Sunday, March 21st-22nd
$2.00 donation will be collected at the gate;
10am-7pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday

Kick off the Irish weekend with a walking parade to include traditional music and dancing Saturday at 10am. Enjoy the rest of the weekend with Irish musicians, bagpipers and dancers. This year’s lineup includes Uisce Beatha; the Janet Martin Band; Andy, Cindy and Then Some; Page Wilson; Gary Gerloff; Tinkers Damn; Bart Chucker Band; Kelly Kennedy; Susan Greenbaum and many other local favorites.

In addition to great entertainment, there will be plenty of family fun, including children’s games, face painting and Irish-themed crafts. Food and refreshments will also be available. Enjoy wonderful “Irish Lasagna” prepared by the Ladies of St. Patrick’s, “Fish and Chips” and other favorites provided by Poe’s Irish Pub, Rare Olde Times, and many more. A huge children’s play area will be sponsored by the great folks from “Connor’s Heroes”, an organization that assists families and children who are fighting childhood cancer.

Proceeds benefit the St. Baldrick’s Society and their fight against childhood cancer, the Church Hill Association, the Church Hill Crime Watch, Richmond Hill, Child Saver’s Clinic of Richmond, the St. Peter’s Meals Program, and many other neighborhood causes. Proceeds also benefit the historic preservation of St. Patrick’s Church, a “little church with a big heart”. We kindly ask that you leave all pets at home. For more information, visit www.ChurchhillIrishFestival.org or call 804-356-1093. Sponsored in part by Harp and Guinness.