Brewery to celebrate St. Patty’s Day with music and beer
Though she only has distant relatives who live in Ireland, Allie Gerace feels connected to St. Patrick’s Day.
“I feel like by celebrating it, I’m connecting with that lost part of my heritage,” the 21-year-old UF biology senior said.
Gerace said she will celebrate at First Magnitude Brewing Company’s first-ever St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
The event takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1220 SE Veitch St., said Lane Abraben, the event coordinator.
Abraben said the planned festivities include Irish beers and food, a costume contest and a performance by The Dozenaires, a Gainesville band.
The menu will include more than 20 beers, including an Irish Red Ale and Time Out Irish Stout, he said. The Off the Griddle food truck will serve dishes such as corned beef and cabbage.
“The Irish Red we’ve never made before,” Abraben said, “but typically they are light to medium body beers and kind of mildly hoppy.”
Kurt Renner, a 22-year-old UF chemical engineering senior, said his goal for Thursday is to make memories.
“I’m just hoping to drink a fair amount with my friends and meet some new people,” he said.
- Sara Marino
Thomas Center to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
The Historic Thomas Center will host visitors for Irish food and music tonight.
Hanneke Cassel and Mike Block will play Scottish Americana music on a fiddle and cello, and Sarah Ingley will perform her award-winning dances, said Joseph Saccocci, the vice president of the Shakerag Culture Center.
He said Cassel is the 1997 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and Mike Block is a member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble.
Cassel is the duo’s fiddler, and she said the band has never performed in Gainesville.
“I love to perform,” she said. “I think that’s one of my most favorite parts.”
Vendors will serve food, but anyone who wants to drink alcohol must bring their own wine or beer, said Russell Etling, the cultural affairs manager for the Thomas Center.
“We thought it was a perfect way to celebrate this special holiday,” he said.
Tickets are available for $20 at the event, Etling said. They can only be purchased with cash or checks.
“We just invite people to come and have a great time and wear a little bit of green,” he said.
- Mary-Lou Watkinson
