Salt Lake City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back for its 46th year on Saturday, a celebration its organizers say is for people who are Irish by heritage and Irish by inclination.
“It’s a cherished tradition of not only the Irish families in Salt Lake City, but Salt Lake City as a whole,” said Sean Clark, president of The Hibernian Society of Utah, which puts on the parade. “There is such a good, spirited, fun time.”
The parade — the third largest in Salt Lake City, behind Days of ‘47 in July and Pride in June — is set for Saturday, starting at 11 a.m., mostly running north on Rio Grande Street through The Gateway shopping center. That’s followed by the siamsa (pronounced “SHEEM-suh”), featuring Irish music, dance and food, in The Gateway’s main plaza (and indoors just north of the plaza), until 5 p.m.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Shades of Green” — a celebration, Clark said, of the diversity within the Irish community in Utah.
“So many of our families have a blend, a mix, and our stories are beyond just their ancestry from Ireland, but a lot of different places,” Clark said.
Besides the parade, Clark noted, the majority of The Gateway will be turned into “one enormous Irish pub” of celebration. The siamsa will have about 25,000 square feet of indoor space available — a deliberate choice because they can’t control the weather, Clark said.
That space will feature traditional Irish food — Irish stew, shepherd’s pie and Clark’s favorite: colcannon, a mashed potatoes dish with kale and cabbage — and drink, dance and music performances, and some 25 vendors.
Clark said that for him, the society and other Irish families in Utah, the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day started as a religious holiday — but has expanded beyond that
“What St. Patrick’s Day means to Irish people is a connection to our heritage, our past and a family,” he said.
Saturday’s forecast calls for a 60% chance of rain. Clark noted, though, “If you’re determined to have a good time, no weather can can disrupt you from your goal.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) JT Draper and Nate Spenser perform at Piper Down in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
Where else to celebrate St. Patrick’s
The St. Patrick’s Day parade and siamsa aren’t the only celebrations of Irish heritage happening in Utah between now and the day itself — Friday, March 17. Here are what some of the state’s restaurants and drinking establishments are offering:
Bewilder Brewing • 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City; 385-528-3840; bewilderbrewing.com • The brewpub is introducing three new beers — Irish Stout, Irish Lager, and Leprechaun Tears — on March 17, and will have an Irish-themed menu for the day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Parties of 10+ should call ahead to make a reservation.
Duffy’s Tavern • 932 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, 801-355-6401, facebook.com/DuffysTavernSLC • St. Patrick’s Day specials include an Irish breakfast shot for $6.50, Irish Car Bombs for $8, Reuben sandwiches for $8, pastrami and Swiss and corned beef and Swiss for $6.
Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club • 6 N. Rio Grande St., Salt Lake City; 801-683-7070; flankerslc.com • Flanker has an “after party” on Saturday, March 11, during and after the siamsa (which is one floor below Flanker). The menu includes corned beef and cabbage tacos, large soft pretzels with Guinness beer cheese, and an Irish coffee sundae. The band Hectic Hobo is scheduled to play live from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Flanker also has St. Patrick’s Day events on Friday, March 17, which dovetails with the second day of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament.
Piper Down • 1492 S State St., Salt Lake City; 801-468-1492; piperdownpub.com • Saturday, March 11, is “St. Practice Day,” with a performance by Murphy & The Giants, Swagger and Red Headed Step Twins. On Friday, March 17, the bar has an all-day celebration planned with Irish-themed drinks, a smoked corned beef special and live music from noon to 1 a.m. — with Murphy & The Giants, Swagger and Red Headed Step Twins returning, and the Heathen Highlanders playing bagpipes throughout the day.
Prohibition • 151 E. 6100 South, Murray; 801-281-4852; prohibitionutah.com • The bar has a St. Patrick’s Day celebration planned, Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, with Irish-themed cocktails and food. Burlesque performances are scheduled at 9:30 and 11:15 p.m. each night. $10 cover at the door.
