New York might have its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Washington DC its Fourth of July celebration.

But nothing takes the cake over Baltimore’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities!

According to Wikipedia, Maryland is one of the most Irish American states in the country. So maybe that’s why we begin celebrating a whole week before the official March 17 holiday. Starting this Sunday, March 11, the party begins, and the entire city, it seems, comes out to celebrate.

“Everyone is Irish on this day of the year,” says Sean Caine, the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Director of Communications. He should know. The Baltimore Basilica is hosting the ‘official’ Mass of the Baltimore St. Patrick Parade at 10:45am on Sunday.

“This is our way of re-injecting St. Patrick into St. Patrick’s Day” Sean said.

The Baltimore City Fire Brigade Pipe & Drum Corps will kick things off with a procession at 10:30. The Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Edwin O’Brien – likely his last St. Patrick’s Mass before he leaves for his new post at the Vatican. Did you know the Cardinal has dual Irish/US Citizenship? I bet he will speak about both heritages.

There will be a 2-hour window after Mass and before the Shamrock 5k Race begins, making it the perfect time to check out what’s going on at Goodfellas, Cazbar, Lumbini, A People United, Beadazzled, David & Dad’s, The Woman’s Industrial Exchange and The Mount Vernon Stable & Saloon, just to name a few – all will be open on Sunday morning!

The Midtown BBQ and Brew is getting into the St. Patrick Spirit by cooking delicious smoked corned beef and a WHOLE HOG out front all day. And they’re extending a 20% St. Patrick’s discount to all fire and police men and women! (They’re located at 15 E. Centre St., website: http://midtownbbqandbrew.com/)

Mick O’Shea’s, the ‘Godfather’ of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, if you will, is opening at 10am. They’re renowned for their Irish festivities.

“Yep, St. Patrick’s Day was the only time I saw my Mom double fisted,” Zane, a Peabody student said. Last year, he had finished his cello recital just in time to head over to Micks. “There were so many people there – we’re talking wall-to-wall people – that I ordered 4 Guinnesses at once.” His Mom was only half finished with her drink, but what can we say? She got into the spirit.

(It’s funny, I’ve heard more than one story about St. Patrick’s Day involving Moms…)

This year, Mick’s will have 5 bars open and a coffee bar outside. Even Mike O’Shea will be on hand with a special review stand outside by the parade.

“Usually people who do the 5k come in for a few drinks before the race,” says owner Dave Niehenke. “We’re really a hub for Baltimore.”

Speaking of the 5k Run, this year’s Shamrock Race promises to be one of the biggest ever – with 5,000 runners already signed up to participate!

The race begins at 1:15pm at the corner of Charles and Franklin Streets.

Race Director Kelly Dees still needs a few volunteers, so if you’re interested in helping, email her at kelly@charmcityrun.com.

Photo courtesy Brad Williams

The event we’ll be waiting all day for, the Parade itself, will begin at 2pm at the Washington Monument. You can click here for the parade route and even get a sneak peek at who will be marching. That list was not quite ready as of press time, but you can check right here for updates.

Immediately following the Parade, there will be great live music from the band Donegal X-press at Mick O’Sheas – they’ve been named “Best Band” by the likes of the Citypaper and even won a few awards in Ireland! Trust me, hearing them will be worth navigating through Mick’s front door. (Mick O’Sheas is located at 328 N. Charles Street. Website: http://www.mickosheas.com/index2.html.)

Finally, if you’re a member of our Historic Charles Street Association, our Board of Directors would like to invite you to stop by the Open House we’re having anytime between 12:30 and 4pm. Come say hi – I would love to meet you! And give you a cupcake or two (and while I can’t promise I’ll actually bake them, they’ll be tasty nonetheless!):

The Historic Charles Street Association is located at 312 North Charles Street.

See you on Sunday!

A Brand-New Photo Contest Featuring the Works of… You!

Mr. Adams

Up for a challenge? I’d like you to channel your inner Ansel Adams (or even Alfred Stieglitz). Take photos of Charles Street, and send me your best one!

It can be anything – a building, a neighborhood, a landmark, or even a flower, like our friend Marcus Dagan did.

The winners of our photo contest will get their art displayed on the walls of our HCSA headquarters, AND they’ll win a lovely hardcover book, the name of which will be revealed to our winners.

So get your cameras (or iPhones) snapping, and send me your photos! Our contest ends on March 31.

You Pick Two

By now you might be scratching your head thinking, “this girl sure gives away a lot of prizes.”

(It’s true, I do)

And you might also be thinking how happy you are to be getting our free, weekly Charles Street Insider emails.

(I’m glad you are, too)

But if you’re wondering if there’s any way you can say ‘thanks’ for the work we do here at Historic Charles Street Association, my answer to you is simple:

Just pick two friends, and share this message with them.

You see, the point behind our eletter is to get the news, history, trivia and fun specials from our member restaurants and retailers into the hands (and onto the computer screens) of as many Baltimoreans as possible. Because the more people who know about what’s going on, the more inclined they’ll be to visit, and support, our stores.

They don’t have to live in Mt. Vernon, and they don’t have to work in Mt. Vernon to read our Charles Street Insiders, although it would be extra nice if they did.

Just pick two friends who might enjoy our newsletter, and send this link on to them:

www.historiccharlesstreet.com/signup

And our whole community will benefit!

Fun Things Happening the Rest of This Week

Tonight (Thursday, March 8th) at 7:30pm, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews will be at the Enoch Pratt Free Library! He’ll be discussing his new book, “Jack Kennedy, Elusive Hero.” Free. 400 Cathedral Street. Call 410-396-5430 for details. http://www.prattlibrary.org/calendar/atpratt.aspx?id=71695

On Friday, March 9th at 9:30pm – hear the Modern/Alt Rock sounds of Sly 45 Quartet at Mick O’Sheas! No cover. 328 North Charles Street. Phone 410-539-7504. Website: http://www.mickosheas.com/index2.html

On Saturday, March 10th from 2-4pm at The Woman’s Industrial Exchange: ever wanted to dye an egg, Ukrainian-Style? ( I, too, am intrigued.) This technique has been around for over 3,000 years, and resembles the look of batik dyeing. $20 for the class plus a $6 materials fee. 333 N. Charles Street. Phone 410-685-4388. http://womansindustrialexchange.org/events/

And on Sunday, March 11 – … If you’re really wondering what’s happening on Sunday, March 11, I am going to bop you upside the head.

For the complete, daily list of Charles Street events (and luscious food photos), be sure you’re following us on Facebook!

Trivia Time!

Well, my friends, for the very first time, no one correctly answered last week’s trivia question, submitted by Linda Newcomb.

The name of the area of where Charles and Baltimore Streets intersect used to be called “Sun Square” – because the Sun Newspaper was on the southwest corner, and it had a running ticker of news (like the current one on Fayette and Charles)

I thought it was a lovely question, Ms. Linda, and thank you again for sending it in.

Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t know that one! Here’s a brand new one for this week, submitted by Robert Wayne Cox:

Which former company on Charles Street had Franklin Delano Roosevelt {FDR} as a Vice President?

Email me your answer, and you too, could be a winner! :D

Until next week,

Laura Rodini
Executive Director, The Historic Charles Street Association

 

The Historic Charles Street Association (HCSA) is a non-profit organization, 501 (c)(3),whose mission is to support and promote the businesses, cultural attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants and retail establishments along the Charles Street corridor. HCSA serves as a problem solving and information resource for its members, as well as provides a forum for networking, communication and collaboration.