St. Patrick’s Day: How Alpharetta, Milton Celebrates In Pandemic

ALPHARETTA/MILTON, GA — The traditional parades, festivals, races and large parties that often mark the St. Patrick’s Day season and celebrate Irish heritage this month will again mostly not take place this year as the coronavirus pandemic approaches the one-year mark.

In Alpharetta and Milton, there are several ways to celebrate safely this year.

Luck of Avalon: March 12

On Friday, March 12, lads and lassies are invited to experience the sixth annual Luck of Avalon, a St. Patrick’s Day-themed, socially distanced soiree at the Alpharetta mixed-use destination. From 5 to 9 p.m., guests can safely sip and stroll amongst a sea of green festivities, from traditional dance performances to live music and plenty of “cheers."

To ensure the health and safety of guests, Avalon has reimagined its traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration. New this year, the event will take place along the Boulevard, which will be closed from 3rd Street to Avalon Way, so that guests are able to sip, stroll and socially distance. The Plaza will be capped to a limited number of VIP guests. Participating restaurants will have pop-up bars spilling into the sidewalks, creating an open-air alternative for light bites and festive cocktails. In addition, Avalon will have two event bars set up, one to the left of Concierge and one in Boulevard East, to offer guests plenty of socially distanced drink options.

Beginning at 5 p.m., leprechauns of all ages can jig to live entertainment, including traditional Irish dance performances by the King O’Sullivan School of Irish Dance and a parade of bagpipes and drums by the North Georgia Pipes and Drums. At 6 p.m. guests can toast with festive libations while sham-rocking to live tunes performed by Azz-Izz in The Plaza. The music will be pumped throughout Avalon’s property speakers for all guests to enjoy, no matter where along the Boulevard you choose to celebrate. For the full event details, visit online.

Trails & Ales: March 18

Join Jekyll Brewing and the City of Alpharetta Recreation, Parks, Cultural Services for their Trails & Ales event, where you can enjoy great brews and getting out into the great outdoors. Choose between an approximately 1.5- or 3-mile guided walk, ending at the Downtown Alpharetta location of Jekyll Brewing for a post-walk social. Make sure to register ahead, with registration including a Trails & Ales t-shirt and a beverage token. The walking kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and wraps up by 7 p.m.

Publix Aprons Cooking School St. Patty’s Themed Classes: March 15, 17

Good cooking takes a little more than luck, and Publix Aprons Cooking School can teach you the skills to make a fantastic meal. For yummy St. Patrick’s Day small plates, try the St. Patrick’s Day Delight Bites course on March 15 or 17 to discover recipes for Mini Reuben Egg Rolls, Beefy Cottage Hand Pies, Irish Lamb Nachos, and Bite-size Irish Apple Cakes. You’ll be an Irish cuisine afficionado in no time. Make sure to register ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

Painting With a Twist St. Patty’s Themed Classes: March 13, 20

Paint with all the colors of the rainbow at a Painting With a Twist class. For family day courses, bring your little leprechauns to enjoy painting a Lucky Gnome on March 13 or try the Pot o’ Color on March 20. Make your evening a date night or a best friend date on March 20 with the Luck Be A Lady option and learn how to make a masterpiece. Instructors will assist you no matter your level of artistic skill and your friends will turn green with envy when they see your epic work of art!

Hit Up the Local Hops-Spots

Before you make an Irish exit, St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a toast. Visit Jekyll Brewing for their Erin Go Braugh brew, a rich Irish coffee porter, combining the flavors of coffee with a hint of whisky. For a Belgian-style brew you’ll love with a smooth flavor, try Frankenstark at Currahee Brewing Company. For extensive options, with rotating brews and delicious cocktails, check out Truck & Tap, Butcher & Brew, Mercantile Social, Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar, and Branch & Barrel.

Central City Tavern will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day Celebration with trivia (including Irish-themed rounds!) and live music on March 17. The event will start at 4 p.m. with trivia beginning at 7:30 p.m. Full details are online.

Restaurant Holmes will be offering its St. Patrick's Day themed cocktail kits with ingredients to make the Cell Your Soul drink (celery and lemon juice, Holmes' house gin, honey syrup, garnish) and the Proper Knock (housemade fresno, orange, cinnamon, lemon juice and Proper 12 Irish Whiskey). More details can be found on its website.

The Pink Valise will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a surprise for customers the entire day on March 17. Visitors can draw a "lucky coin" that will offer a special discount off of their purchases, varying from person to person. More information can be found on its website.