By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
Irish eyes are smilin' all over the region this week — in no small part because St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday. Here's your guide to St. Patty's fun.
Shamrock
The focal point for regional celebrations — heck, for the whole state — is the annual party in Shamrock.
The party began there in 1938, then was revived in the 1950s to become the area’s preeminent St. Patrick’s Day party. In fact, in 2013, the Texas Legislature declared that Shamrock’s party is the official St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the state.
Activities begin with a 3:30 p.m. Thursday invitational track meet at El Paso Stadium, then continue at 4 p.m. Friday with the opening of the carnival behind Bartlett’s, 100 E. Railroad Ave., and a kickoff banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Shamrock Community Center, 911 S. Main St. Tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. Friday's activities end with a 9 p.m. dance featuring J.W. Lane & County Road X at the Shamrock Country Club, 900 N. Wall St.
The party kicks into high gear Saturday:
- 8 a.m.: 5K Run for Life and 1-Mile Walk at Water Tower Plaza; register at 7: 30 a.m.
- 8 a.m.: Chili cook-off entries accepted. Cooking begins at 11 a.m., and judging begins at noon
- 9:30 a.m.: Arts & Crafts Show in the Shamrock Junior High School gym, 100 S. Illinois St.
- 9:30 a.m.: Old Settlers’ Reunion at Shamrock Volunteer Fire Department
- 10 a.m.: Donegal Bear Contest at parade review stand
- 10 a.m.: Health Fair at 211 N. Main St.
- 10 a.m.: Main Street Market Gifts and Craft Show at Old Jaycee Gym
- 10 a.m.: Screenings of free cartoons at Texas Theatre, 217 N. Main St.
- 10:30 a.m.: 71st annual St. Patrick’s Parade in downtown Shamrock
- Noon: Carnival opens
- 12:30 p.m.: Motorcycle Rally and Poker Run at Shamrock Community Center
- 1 p.m. Antique, Classic Car and Truck Show at U-Drop Inn, 101 E. 12th St.
- 3 p.m.: Miss Irish Rose crowning at Shamrock High School
- 9 p.m.: Dance featuring Jason Boland & The Stragglers with Dalton Domino at Shamrock Community Center. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Sunday’s closing events include the carnival and arts and crafts shows at noon, plus the Lad n Lassie Pageant at 1 p.m. in the Shamrock High School auditorium.
Amarillo party options
Bar Z Winery, 19290 Farm-to-Market Road 1541, will host a St. Patrick's Day party at 6 p.m. Friday featuring food from Country Gourmet, music from Jackie Haney & The Geezers Gone Wild and, naturally, wine from the winery. Admission is $10. Call 806-488-2214.
Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St., will host a St. Patrick's Day party beginning at 6 p.m., featuring drink specials and no cover for ages 21 and older with the booking of a happy hour party. Call 806-358-7083.
The Solano Project will play at a St. Patrick's Day Party on the Patio from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ruby Tequila's, 2001 S. Georgia St. No cover. Call 806-358-7829.
Singer Victor Gallegos performs at 6 p.m. at Taqueria El Tapatio, 3410 S. Coulter St. Call 806-331-6249.
Mariachi band Pete Y Los Releros performs at 6:30 p.m. at Bracero's Mexican Bar & Grill, 2822 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-220-2395.
Amarillo folk singer-songwriter Yvonne Perea will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Pescaraz, 3415 S. Bell St., Suite K. No cover. Call 806-350-5430.
Mariachi band El Trio Cortez performs at 7 p.m. at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, 727 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-373-8889.
Amarillo bluesman Stew Moss performs at 7 p.m. at The Big Texan Steak Ranch, 7701 E. Interstate 40. No cover. Call 806-372-6000.
Amarillo piano man Jason Patrick will perform in a sold-out show at 7 p.m. at Gerb's Wurst Bar, 7415 S. Bell St. Cover $10. Call 806-398-9991.
Folk singer Andy Chase performs at 7 p.m. at Napoli's Italian Restaurant, 700 S. Taylor St. No cover. Call 806-220-2588.
Rocker-turned-country singer Aaron Lewis (founder of metal group Staind) will perform at 8 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St. Tickets are $32 and $42, plus fees. Call 806-378-3096.
Amarillo singer-songwriter J Trial will perform for a St. Patrick's Day party at 8 p.m. at The Burger Bar, 614 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-376-4700.
Amarillo folk band The DryLand Dreamers will perform at 8 p.m. at Cowboy Gelato Smokehouse, 6103 S. Coulter St., Suite 200. No cover. Call 806-376-5286.
Amarillo band Kim & The Crash will play at an 8 p.m. St. Patrick's Day party at Gooneys, 705 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-367-9585.
Amarillo rock band Moon Dog will perform at 8 p.m. at Joe Daddy's, 2108 Paramount Blvd. No cover. Call 806-463-7900.
DJ Atomic spins at 9 p.m. at Atomic Sports Grill & Bar, 2523 Brittain Drive. No cover. Call 806-355-2100.
B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Broken Spoke, 3101 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-373-9149.
B-Man's Karaoke also is featured at 9 p.m. at Buckles Lounge, 6800 E. Interstate 40. No cover. Call 806-379-8064.
A St. Patrick's Day party will feature karaoke and drink specials at 9 p.m. at Duke Tracy's, 3101 S.W. 26th Ave. No cover. Call 806-351-0757.
DJ Sinister spins tunes around 9 p.m. at Guitars & Cadillacs, 3601 Olsen Blvd. No cover. Call 806-322-7979.
Lil T Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at The Mudd Rack, 500 E. Hastings Ave. No cover. Call 806-381-2599.
Amarillo singer-songwriter James Owens will perform at 9 p.m. at Rain Premiere Sushi Bar & Lounge, 817 S. Polk St. There's no cover. Call 806-331-1155.
Amarillo rock band Rock Bottom will perform at 9 p.m. for a St. Patrick's Day party at Rounders Club, 2801 Virginia Circle. No cover. Call 806-352-3317.
Amarillo country band Midnight Express will perform at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. Cover $5 for guys and free for women. Call 806-356-0873.
DJ Tino D spins tunes at 9 p.m. Fridays at Tejano Wild West, 1200 S.E. 10th Ave. Call 806-340-3313.
Lubbock act The Dustin Garrett Band will perform at 9 p.m. for a St. Patrick's Day party at Throwbacks Sports Bar, 7150 S. Bell St. No cover. Call 806-418-4482.
Amarillo punk favorites The Bastard Sons of David Hasslehoff will perform at 9 p.m. at Zombiez Bar & Grill, 711 S.W. 10th Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-331-7305.
Amarillo's DJ Saga will spin at 9:30 p.m. at Butler's Martini Bar, 703 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-376-8180.
DJ Ted provides tunes at 9:30 p.m. at Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40. Cover $5 for men, free for women. Call 806-379-6555, ext. 2999.
Amarillo rock bands Mustard and Hed Change will play for a St. Patrick's Day celebration at 10 p.m. at Austin's Texas Pub, 3121 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-803-9063.
Amarillo country act The Tommy Gallagher Band will give its annual St. Patrick's Day party at 10 p.m. at Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $7. Opening act is Austin Gilliam. Call 806-374-9237.
Amarillo-based '80s retro band The Cassettes will play at 10 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, for a St. Patrick's Day party. Cover $10.
DJ Element spins around 10 p.m. at Kicked Back, 521 S.E. 10th Ave. Cover $5 after midnight. Call 806-418-8971.
Atlanta-based rockers Funk You will perform at a St. Patrick's Day party at 10 p.m. at Leftwoods, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-367-9840.
Danny Ruiz hosts a weekly open mic night at 10 p.m. at No Dogs Allowed, 700 S.W. 10th Ave. No cover. Call 806-373-3647.
DJ Ramon hosts The Latin Spot at 10 p.m. at The Spot, 4001 E. Interstate 40.
Amarillo rock band Roger Pressure will play at 10 p.m. at Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. Cover $7. Call 806-367-6163.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
