Go green - celebrate St. Patrick’s Day locally

If you’re not flying to good Dublin for the weekend to join the St. Patrick’s Festival revelries, don’t fret. Here in L.A., you’ll find a few ways to celebrate.

South Bay St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This Saturday, March 15, 2008, in Hermosa Beach, a parade commences at 11 a.m. to celebrate the patron saint. Expect decorated floats, marching bands, classic cars and other entertainment; about 300 people are involved in the parade and city staff guesstimate about 3,000 spectators will be on hand. No fee will be charged; so, come one, come all, but come early: There is no designated parking area for the event, which means you’ll have to try your luck with already scarce street parking. Bring food or plan a lunch out, as no vendors will be set up.

Contact: (310) 318-0280

Thistle and Shamrock: California Philharmonic Pays Tribute to Celtic Culture

On Saturday evening at 8 p.m., Cal Phil will perform dance numbers from Riverdance. Highland dancers and bagpipes will further enhance the Celtic experience in an evening of festive music. This will be held at the historic Ambassador Auditorium in Old Pasadena. Tickets cost $30-$95, and you can’t go wrong with the cheap seats at this venue.

Contact: (626) 300-8200

Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration

If you happen to have your Monday, March 17, free, get on your green garb and head downtown for L.A.’s celebration at Pershing Square. The marching part commences at 11:30 a.m. at Main and Arcadia streets, and will end near the square; have a look at the parade-route map. Post-parade, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., the party at Pershing Square begins, serenaded by Celtic rockers, the Young Dubliners.

Contact: (213) 847-4970

— Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Photo: YoungDubliners.com]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 9:55 pm by Susan Derby and is filed under California, Family & Kids, Festival, Los Angeles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.