After deploying extra patrols and a DUI checkpoint, Arlington police say they made at least seven DUI arrests yesterday. Four of the arrests were made at the checkpoint, according to police.
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St. Patrick’s Day
Whether you’re Irish or not, there’s something special about St. Patrick’s Day. The green attire and green beer seems to go hand-in-hand with the greener grass and warmer weather.
No matter where you live in Arlington, there are plenty of options for going out and celebrating with a pint or three.
Last night’s Clarendon St. Patrick’s Day (eve) parade had it all: bagpipers, kids dancing, Mardi Gras beads, roller derby girls, a leprechaun on a unicorn, a Republican congressional candidate, white guys in sombreros, and — of course — drag queens. If you missed it, don’t worry… we took plenty of photos.
Check out the photos after the jump.
More than a thousand runners braved heavy wind and driving rain on Saturday to compete in the inaugural Four Courts Four Miler road race, part of an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
“How do you like this traditional Irish weather?” an organizer called out to the crowd just before the race began.
Four Court’s normal Sunday activities will become even more Irish-y. Expect a special Irish Sunday brunch. Then, later Sunday night, karaoke become Irish-themed karaoke.
For more dedicated drinkers, the Arlington Athletic and Social League is holding its “St. Practice Day” bar crawl on Saturday. The $10 registration fee is almost worth it just for the t-shirt.
The first event on our St. Patrick’s Day Guide is coming up tonight. Kicking off the festivities is Ri Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant (2915 Wilson Blvd), which is hosting traditional Irish band The Dirty Pints.
The band is expected to take the stage between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m.
According to federal statistics, as many as 37 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes on St. Patrick’s Day had a blood alcohol content of at least .08, above the legal limit.
“For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family,” Arlington police said in a statement. “Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous.”
In its place, however, P. Brennan’s sister pub, McGinty’s, will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day “extravaganza” featuring a live radio broadcast, a band flown in from Ireland, dancers, specials and giveaways. McGinty’s, located in the Market Square at Potomac Yard development near Crystal City, says it hopes to be “the greenest spot in the county.”
More details on the festivities at McGinty’s and 15 other bars can be found in our St. Patrick’s Day Guide.
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St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year. While the midweek date may put a damper on the daytime festivities (or may put a dent in workplace productivity, depending on your level of commitment), it also gives bar owners a chance to ramp up the revelry the weekend before.
After the jump, we’ve compiled a list of the best (mostly over-21) St. Patrick’s Day fun Arlington has to offer, from Thursday the week before to the wee hours of March 17. Enjoy — and please leave the car at home if you choose to imbibe.
Today the Clarendon Alliance announced that in lieu of this year’s Mardi Gras parade, which was canceled due to snow, Clarendon will host a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The parade is being held on Tuesday, March 16, the night before St. Paddy’s Day. It will kick off at 8:00 p.m. on Wilson Blvd at N. Barton St. The parade will then head up Wilson Blvd to the Clarendon Metro.