Hillary Brewer tops off a growler of Goat Island’s award-winning Duck River Dunkel in this May 17, 2018 photo. 

Saint Patrick’s Day weekend in downtown Cullman is shaping up for a bit of merriment and the “drowning of the shamrock.”

While the official day is March 17 for the Saint Patrick’s Day, which is a Sunday, the St. Patrick’s Celebration will be March 16.

The day will start with the 3rd annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-mile fun run at East Elementary School. Registration for the 5K is $25 and $15 for the fun run. Later, beginning at 6 p.m., the inaugural Pub Crawl will start at Goat Island Brewing

“We’re going to be there to help with the games and activities for children, too. This is a fundraiser for East Elementary’s PTO to raise money for playground equipment,” said Christy Turner, recreation development director at Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism.

The course will start and finish at East Elementary School and continue through the East Historic District. Water stations and color stations will be on the race course. Registration includes a shirt and bib number. The first 150 runners to cross the finish line will receive a medal.

Pre-race packet pickup will be available on March 15 from 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at the East Elementary School lunchroom. Race-day registration and packet pickup will be 7 a.m.-7:30 a.m., with both runs beginning at 8 a.m. Register at active.com/…/shamrock-shuffle-5k-1-mile-color-r.

Pub Crawl

The Pub Crawl is a showcase of restaurants and nightlife in Cullman.

The cost to register for the St. Patrick’s Pub Crawl is $15 per person (ages 21 and up, only) before March 15 at 12 p.m. Registration will be available on-site at Goat Island Brewery from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on March 16. Whether you pre-register online or register on-site, participants must check-in at Goat Island Brewery between 6 and 8 p.m. to pick up a baggie to hold drawn cards.

While drowning the shamrock is an old Irish tradition of placing a rock in the bottom of a glass and covering with Irish whiskey, the Pub Crawl is not an alcohol-only event, although plenty of craft beer and other drinks will be available.

“Anyone who participates will get a playing card from the places they visit and at the end of the night at Mae’s Food Hall, the winning hand gets a $250 prize. There will be a lot of other prizes, too,” Turner said. “But you can get an appetizer, tea or cola and still get the cards.”

Registration for the Pub Crawl begins Friday by visiting cullmanrecreation.org

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116