Green day downtown

The time has come again; everything turns green (even the beer), the "luck of the Irish" is highlighted and people hit downtown for the St. Patrick's Day pub-crawl.

This year's celebration in downtown Cape Girardeau will get going at 6 p.m. Saturday and feature 10 bars and several local bands. Misty Thrower, owner of pub crawl participant Bel Air Bar and Grill, calls the crawl a "special event."

"This is always a great night downtown," Thrower said. "It's normally our kickoff to the season, and we always have great crowds. We just keep the green beer flowing and the party going, and all the sudden you have another group come in from somewhere else. It's fantastic."

Mike Renick, who will entertain crawlers with the Mike Renick Band at the Rude Dog, always looks forward to the atmosphere St. Patrick's Day brings.

People hit up downtown Cape Girardeau restaurants and bars March 17, 2011 for the St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. (Laura Simon)

"Based on past pub crawls around here, it's going to be one heck of a time," Renick said. "Everyone is always in an extra-festive mood that night. It really gets people to let loose and have fun."

People hit up downtown Cape Girardeau restaurants and bars Thursday, March 17, 2011 for the St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. (Laura Simon)

St. Patrick's Day, named for the most recognized of the patron saints of Ireland and the man credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland, is celebrated March 17, the saint's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for more than 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, prohibitions against the consumption of meat are waived. The day is more commonly celebrated in America as a celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture. Festivities normally include prominent displays of the color green, feasting, consumption of alcohol, religious observances, and numerous parades. The holiday has been celebrated on the North American continent since the late 18th century.

Cape Girardeau police chief Carl Kinnison said that, while he wants everyone to have a great night, responsibility and safety should stay on a crawler's mind all night and every night.

People hit up downtown Cape Girardeau restaurants and bars March 17, 2011 for the St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. (Laura Simon)

"You have to be accountable to the community and the streets around you. An intoxicated driver can ruin anyone's night quickly in any number of ways," Kennison said. "We want everyone to have a fun time and enjoy the downtown area. But our priority is keeping our streets safe for everyone. Act rationally and have a sober driver ready."

Thrower echoes Kinnison's call for responsible behavior.

"We will consistently encourage customers to have a designated driver, because sometimes people don't realize they shouldn't be driving," Thrower said. "Besides, it's easy to just call a cab or schedule a ride early. Then you have nothing to worry about, and neither do other drivers."

For more information on the pub crawl, participating venues, and entertainment schedule check the local events calendar and www.semoevents.com.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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