facebook-pixel

An Irish parade, a Salt Lake City party and 5 other ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Utah

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Olivia Davies dances on a shamrock before the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2014.

Many will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday with the Salt Lake City Irish community’s 40th annual parade, on a new route, and party. (See box below for details.)

Many others will head to restaurants and bars for the traditional corned beef and cabbage and green beer.

And for those looking for something different, we have discovered a few different ways to celebrate on Saturday.

Vegan eats

Eaters can find corned “beef” seitan and cabbage Saturday at the ongoing food truck event, sponsored by Salt Lake City’s vegan community. Eight food trucks — including Salty Pineapple, Falafel Tree and Good Deeds — will gather from noon to 6 p.m. at The Loading Dock, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City. The event is a fundraiser for Ching Farm Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.

Green in Mexico

Corned beef and cabbage tacos will be served at El Chihuahua, 3926 S. HIghland Drive, and Tarahumara, 380 E Main St. in Midway. Tarahumara Mexican Paddy Party also will have live music in its tequileria.

Persian New Year

(Steve Griffin | Tribune file photo) Traditional foods for the Persian New Year include kuku, left, made of eggs, parsley and cilantro, Sabzi polo, herbed rice and fried fish.

Saturday also is Nowruz or Persian New Year. During the festivities, people build small fires, a symbol of leaving the darkness and winter behind. They also eat traditional foods, including fish (usually salmon) and rice with fresh herbs. This year’s community celebration takes place at Noah’s Event Venue, 322 W. 11000 South, South Jordan. For more information, contact Pars Market and Cuisine, 801-272-2822, or Shiraz Market, 801-270-5624.

No green beer

(Courtesy | Mountain West Hard Cider) Mountain West Hard Cider is the first cider maker in Salt Lake City and the maker of Ruby.

Skip the green beer and head to the 4th West Fest, featuring hard ciders and craft beers from Mountain West and Red Rock Brewing. This year, the event also will feature Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey. Food trucks and vendors as well as live music also will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the two liquor production facilities at 425 N. 400 West.

Free tacos

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Irish tacos at O’Crowley’s Irish Tacos in Lindon.

O’Crowley’s Irish Tacos, 135 S. State in Lindon, has a daylong celebration that includes one free taco with any purchase, balloons and prizes. From 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. there will be face painting and visits from Princess Merida and Darth Vader. The taco eating contest begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by Irish dancing at 5 p.m. and a performance by Brigham Young University’s Divine Comedy at 6 p.m. More details at 801-796-7300.

Shamrocks and Shenanigans

Salt Lake City’s Irish community will hold its 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and party Saturday, March 17. This year’s theme is “The Irish Are Coming: 40 Years of Shamrocks and Shenanigans.”

Parade • 10 a.m. start. The route begins at 200 South and 500 East and moves west to State Street. Salt Lake Shriners Hospital is the grand marshal.

Siamsa • Noon to 4 p.m. at the Gallivan Center, 239 Main St. Enjoy Irish food, drink, food and music.