St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations In The Newtown Area

NEWTOWN, PA — St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday this year. Entertainment districts in Newtown will be swimming in Kelly green, and perhaps flashing red and blue lights if people don’t behave themselves.

And devout Catholics may have to consult their parish priest before they dig into a plate of corned beef and cabbage.

Some of the places in New Hope to celebrate the March 17 holiday are:

• The 2023 Newtown Irish Festival continues through March 19 at the Green Parrot Restaurant on Sycamore Street in Newtown. The festival features live music, Irish step-dancing, traditional Irish food and drinks as well as kid-friendly activities. Costs vary.
• Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, presents a St. Patrick's Day UnWined Weekend on March 17 and 18. Celebrate the luck o' the Irish with a St. Paddy's Party. Fun includes LIVE Irish music (Celtic Pride on March 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. and March 18 from 12 to 5 p.m. and Righteous Jolly & the Jolly Tinkers on March 18 from 6 t0 10 p.m.), tasty Irish food, locally brewed craft beer, Rose Bank Winery wines and spirited drinks. Several concession stands will be located throughout the area. The event takes place inside a heated barn and party tent. Click here to order tickets.
  
• Crossing Vineyards and Winery presents a Saint Patrick's Weekend on March 18 and 19 from 12 to 6 p.m. Celebrate with award-winning wines, specialty pairings and live music by The Boys of County Bucks. The winery also serves local craft beers on draft and in bottles. The winery is located at 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown.

Roving DUI Patrols Throughout The Weekend

According to PennDOT data, in the Philadelphia region during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 11 running through 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 20, there were 70 crashes involving an impaired driver, resulting in two fatalities.

“Drunk drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St. Patrick’s Day,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Krys Johnson. “People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by ensuring they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t be the reason someone – including yourself – doesn’t get home.”

Johnson said PennDOT will be partnering with law enforcement agencies throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania over the St. Patrick's Day weekend to conduct extra enforcement details targeting impaired drivers.

"Throughout the celebration there will be a heightened alert. If you are under the influence you will get pulled over," she said. "Don't wait until that happens. Make your transportation decisions now. Designate a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely."

Archdiocese Grants Dispensation For St. Paddy's Day

Philadelphia area Catholics have been given permission to gobble up meat in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Thursday granted a dispensation to all Roman Catholics in the archdiocese from their obligation to avoid meat on the holiday. This year, St. Paddy's Day falls on Friday, March 17. With the announcement, area Catholics can eat all the corned beef on the holiday as their hearts desire without fear of breaking Lent.