Guide to Green Glendale’s St. Paddy’s Day parties

By Steve Stockmar
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Twitter: @stevestockmar

Green’s big day is coming to Glendale.

St. Patrick’s Day arrives this Thursday, March 17, and we’re running down the best places to party around town.

The holiday observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green.

“The holiday is grounded in history that dates back more than 1,500 years,” History.com writes. “The earliest known celebrations were held in the 17th century on March 17, marking the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick in the 5th century.”

Here’s what we know so far about Green Glendale in no particular order:

Sportsman’s Park

Head over to Sportsman’s Park, at 9600 W. Sportsman’s Park South, from 4 to 9 p.m. for a 21+ party. Sportsman’s is better known as the Great Lawn, outside of State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, and is the largest private park in the state with more than 5 acres of lush lawn.

The Heritage Beer Garden on site will feature standard fare from corned beef Reuben sliders to Irish stew and more. Valley band Kilted Spirit takes the stage at 5 p.m.

Tickets $15.

McFadden’s

This is a big one at McFadden’s, 9425 W. Coyotes Blvd., at Westgate. Entitled “The Last Irish Exit,” this year’s celebration will mark the last holiday-themed party for the West Valley pub, which will soon undergo a rebrand/remodel to continue as a restaurant space, just not an Irish pub.

The family-friendly event on Thursday will feature Irish food favorites, $3 green beers, $5 Jameson and all-day music.

Tim Finnegan’s Irish Restaurant And Pub

Tim Finnegan’s, at 17045 N. 59th Ave., Suite 103, a traditional and authentic Irish pub, will host the festivities from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Padre Murphy’s

The iconic Irish pub, at 4338 W. Bell Road, has been a Glendale mainstay since 1993.

Everything starts bright and early for breakfast at 8 a.m. and will go through midnight, and this year’s is under new ownership.

“With only 9 solid days to plan we will bring back the highly sought after Parking Lot Extension including the tent,” the pub passed along on social media this past week. “This year will be a little different than previous years due to the short amount of time we have to make this happen but one things for sure, IT IS HAPPENING!!!”

The parking lot extension opens at 10 a.m., and the day’s live music outside starts at noon.

Steve Stockmar
News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment YourValley.net
@stevestockmar

sstockmar@iniusa.org

Meet Steve
Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.

Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.

Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.

Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.

Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.