Fun Events for St. Patrick's Day 2008 in and Around Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Whether or not you're truly of Irish decent, you'll be grandly welcomed at any of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Events. As the old saying goes, "Everyone's Irish" on St. Paddy's Day, and finding ways to celebrate your newly found heritage are pretty easy.

Celebrations officially kick off on Friday, March 14, 2008 with the Crowning of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes at the Rivers Club in Oxford Center. The next morning, Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. is the start of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade. It has been held since 1869 and is now the biggest-drawing parade for adults and children in the city. Even in foul weather, the parade marches on. As recently as 1993, Pittsburgh experienced its worst snow storm in over 100 years, and yet the parade was held. With many marching bands, floats, and area groups representing Pittsburgh's long-standing Irish heritage, this is an event not to be missed.

After the parade you'll find several options for continuing the fun - with or without the usual green beer at hand.

The annual Blarney Bash post-parade party will be held at Station Square beginning at noon and runs until 5:00 p.m. This free event is held outdoors and features performances by several local Irish performers, including Michael Murphy & the Shannon River Band - a perennial crowd pleaser. In addition, there will be the annual Raising of the Glass, a symbolic Irish toast to the wish for good health and good friends in the year ahead, and St. Brendan's Crossing stepdancers to watch inside the mall area.

Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub is one stop that should not be missed. Three entire days of festivities are in store for those celebrating everything Irish. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13^th, a production of Finnegan's Wake will be offered. Featuring music and songs by the band Red Hand Paddy, this is an extremely popular and fun show. Mullaney's does not accept reservations and advises that in past years, guests have begun arriving as early as 5:00 p.m.

On Friday, March 14^th Mullaney's again features Red Hand Paddy from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For both Saturday (parade day) and Monday, March 17^th (St. Patrick's Day) they have Irish music planned throughout the day: Mark Guiser from noon to 4:00 p.m.; Whiskey Limerick (formerly known as Susko Brothers) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Red Hand Paddy from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. These groups are all playing inside the pub. Outside under the big tent, listeners can catch the great tunes of Guaranteed Irish from 7:30 p.m. until midnight.

In addition to the great music, revelers can partake in traditional Irish dances, and eat and drink from the pub's authentic Irish menu. Mullaney's is located at 2329 Penn Avenue in the Strip District, an easy walk from many of the points on the parade route.

Market Square, located downtown near the buildings of PPG Place, traditionally has been a setting for St. Patrick's Day celebrations as well, with live entertainment, a variety of bands, and various vendors, including fun events for children. A representative for Market Square Association, the group that runs the event, has commented that their schedule is not yet available as details are still being worked out.