Patty O’Pueblo

photo: Limell' Lawson

Tucson doesn't have the highest percentage of Irish ancestry among U.S. cities; Boston, Philadelphia and Buffalo hold that distinction. "The Sunshine Factory" does have an active Irish community, though, full of energetic and outgoing individuals. They celebrate their heritage year-round, and their enthusiasm reaches its crescendo annually on St. Patrick's Day.

In 1969, Tucson's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival chairperson Robin McArdle-Landers relocated to Tucson from Boston. Soon after, a tiny shamrock appeared at the southwest corner of Stone and Pennington in green paint. A tradition was born and now, forty years on, the shamrock and her clan have grown.

Of the younger generation, McArdle-Landers said, "Their tradition is making the float." Last year, the McArdles won the parade's first place for Best Family with their "Green Man Group" float parody of avant-garde ensemble Blue Man Group.

The theme of the 2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, scheduled for Sunday, March 14, is "Running with the Irish." Appropriately, considering this city's athletic/outdoorsy culture, a 1-mile run/walk through downtown will kick off the festivities at 10:45 a.m. Registration and additional information on this green-garbed race is at TaggRun.com. The parade itself begins at 11 a.m. while the Armory Park festival, with food, music, entertainment and more, goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 221 S. 6th Ave.

Fans of Irish music should catch the Round The House CD release party at O'Malleys on Fourth on March 12 and Nancy McCallion Trio's show at the Community Performing Arts Center in Green Valley on March 15. On actual St. Patrick's Day, March 17, The Mollys play El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St., at 7 p.m. and The Dusty Buskers are at Plush, 340 E. 6th St., at 9:30 p.m. The Auld Dubliner on University Blvd. and The Irish Pub on Tanque Verde Road are sure to have bands performing as well.

Check TucsonStPatricksDay.com and TucsonIrishCommunity.com for more Irish events.

Slainte!