From Darby O'Gill to parade, Irish set to revel

St. Patrick's Day is commonly associated with all things green. Even alcoholic beverages sometimes take on a green tint for the big day. Irish Pubs such as Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York spend lots of time preparing for the annual festival of beer, one of the beverage's biggest selling days of the year.

Although every day is a holiday at most local Irish pubs, it's the celebration of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, that evokes the greatest response from bar-goers.

Fado, the popular pub inside Green Valley Ranch, is expanding the party physically as well as in scope.

Although the bar professes to never offer the "blasphemous" green beer, Irish-inspired entertainment will be plentiful throughout the entire week of St. Patrick's Day, starting Thursday with the Pipers at 11 a.m., a traditional Irish trio at noon, Collin Armstrong at 5 p.m. and local favorites Darby O'Gill and the Little People from 10 p.m. until everyone passes out or the bar closes. After last year's spillover into the casino, the bar will be taking up a little more space around its perimeter to give party-goers more room to swagger.

Sean Patrick's Pub, 8255 W. Flamingo Road, will offer the same Irish beers and dishes they do every day. It's the true Irish atmosphere that will draw in customers on the establishment's biggest day of the year.

"Our menu features five or six Irish dishes and, of course, we have the Irish beers on tap," said Tony Kondrich, general manager. "It's a neighborhood party for anyone who goes up and down Flamingo. And we're open 24 hours, so this party will probably last all day and all night, and probably into the next day."

As far as specials, Kondrich was sketchy with specific party details, but promised a visit to the local spot would not be disappointing.

"We have a couple secrets up our sleeve," he said. "But we'll have Irish music playing, and hopefully the weather will be nice so we can carry the celebration outside."

All those who decide to revel must not forget their green article of clothing or accessory, lest they wish to be pinched. Several stores around the Las Vegas Valley carry little St. Patrick's memorabilia items for the customer who doesn't want to spend a lot of the green stuff on a similarly colored ensemble.

Spencers stores at both the Galleria at Sunset and Meadows malls carry an entire section of uncommon Irish memorabilia that can make someone the life of the party, or the most infamous. Green Afro wigs, obnoxious T-shirts and green hair dye are among the favorites.

"We have an entire unit, from giant leprechaun hats (retailing for around $20) to pins ($2.99) to shot glasses and Guinness hats," said Melinda Greenberg, supervisor of the Galleria store. "We also have shoelaces and green pimp hats."

For the more traditional green accessory, area Wal-Mart and Target stores have cardboard hats, necklaces and, of course, various party supplies for the occasion.

In terms of family-friendly events, the 39th annual Las Vegas Sons of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade has moved to downtown Henderson this year. Read the story on Page 7AA if you feel so inclined.

The parade is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. Saturday on Water Street and continue with a block party at Timet Field from noon-8 p.m.