Jonesborough: St. Paddy’s Day Celebration

A celebration of Celtic culture is coming to Tennessee’s Oldest Town for the 8th annual St. Paddy’s Celebration on Saturday, March 16. Discover everything from Highland Cows to live Irish music and green beer to a fun run.

Festivities kick off with the inaugural St. Paddy’s Parade starting at 11 a.m. The parade will begin on the corner of Boone Street and continue through Main Street. Registration for floats and entries decked out in green or with a Celtic theme are still being accepted. The cost for registration is $25 for regular entries and $50 for political and commercial entries. Interested parties can apply online at Jonesborough.com/stpaddys. There are a limited number of spots available. Following the parade, the Irish Step Dancers will perform in front of the Washington County Courthouse steps.

Get into the St. Paddy’s spirit with the premier Irish traditional band of East Tennessee, Sigean, as they take the stage during Shamrockin’ on the Plaza in front of the Storytelling Center from 5 to 7 p.m. The group’s seven members create a foot-stomping blend of traditional dance tunes and moving ballads through acoustic instruments. Sigean has performed at the Knoxville Irish Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival, Big Stone Celtic Festival and many others.

“All of us with Sigean are so excited to return to Jonesborough and perform for the Town’s Annual St Patrick’s Celebration,” stated Tom Swadley, member of Sigean. “This is becoming an annual tradition for our band to play our music in the oldest town in the State of Tennessee. Jonesborough was one of the first locations for many of our Scots-Irish ancestors and we are proud to carry on that tradition through our music.”

During Shamrockin’ on the Plaza, enjoy a beer garden brought by Main Street Cafe and Catering with beer from Depot Street Brewing. Main Street Café and Catering will also provide a special menu of Irish foods consisting of bangers and mash with onion gravy and beef stew. Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with drinks being served starting at 4 p.m. Visit The Opossum’s Tale in downtown Jonesborough on Fox Street to enjoy Celtic classics as well as their take on Irish favorites. This includes bangers and mash, colcannon fritters, soda bread and Chocolate Guinness cake throughout the St. Paddy’s Day weekend.

Join the Appalachian Highland Celts in Jimmy Neil Smith Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as they bring Highland Games to Jonesborough. Enjoy demonstrations from members of the group and attendees can try to see if they have what it takes to be a Highland games athlete. The Appalachian Highland Celts will guide participants through the safety of performing in the games and show step-by-step techniques. Visitors can try their hand at the stone throw, sheaf toss and archery. The group will also provide a weapons demonstration and a shillelagh lecture.

“Appalachian Highland Celts is honored to be a part of the St. Paddy’s Festival in Jonesborough,” said President of the Appalachian Highland Celts Larry J. Rose. “It enables us to connect with our Irish heritage that is part of the Seven Celtic Nations of Appalachian Highland Celts. Our role with the festival also enables us to share with visitors the heavy athletics and other examples of battle and protection that were an integral part of the Celtic life.”

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy a meet and greet with Highland cows and calves from Happy Hens and Highlands and Rocky Creek Highland Farms. Attendees will get a hands-on experience, learn more about the breed and have a chance to get a photo with a Highland cow.

Attendees are invited to participate in the St. Paddy’s Cause For The Paws Brew Fun Run starting at 4 p.m. This run will start at the International Storytelling Center and go to Depot Street Brewing. There, attendees will indulge in a complimentary small pour of beer or root beer before returning to the International Storytelling Center. Designed to be inclusive for participants of all ages, this run has no entry fee. Following the run, attendees are encouraged to partake in Shamrockin’ on the Plaza event. This run serves as a fundraiser to benefit the Washington County Animal Shelter. Participants are invited to contribute by making a monetary donation either prior to or on the day of the run. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to select an image of a shelter animal to display on their attire during the run. The participant achieving first place will be awarded a gift basket, with a parallel offering extended to the shelter pet of their choice.

The little ones will enjoy a Celtic-themed craft with the McKinney Center at the Christopher Taylor Cabin. Other activities will include face painting, a St. Paddy’s hair station, paint your own rocks with Jonesborough Rocks group and a mini-photo session with Wild Grove Studios. Attendees will also want to keep their eyes open for Celtic-themed rocks as they will be hidden throughout town.

Festival goers will have a chance to visit various owls from Owl Ridge Raptor Center and hear about the work they do to save these creatures.

There will be a mini craft village with local artists and craftsmen showcasing a variety of handmade wares along Main Street.

Step back in time with the Heritage Alliance by taking a Town Tour at 1 p.m. Tour tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the Chester Inn Museum located on Main Street, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shamrockin’ on the Plaza is sponsored by Main Street Café and Catering and JAMSA, Jonesborough Area Merchants & Service Association.

Festival goers are encouraged to attend dressed in kilts, leprechaun outfits or simply all decked out in green. For more information about Jonesborough’s St. Paddy’s Celebration, visit Jonesborough.com or call 423.753.1010.

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About the Town of Jonesborough: A unique 18th century town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Jonesborough’s natural beauty, charming architecture, and storytelling heritage have attracted visitors worldwide. Stay a day, a week or forever, and create your own stories in beautiful Historic Jonesborough. Visit www.jonesborough.com for more information.