parade

To Do Tonight: Clarendon St. Paddy’s Day Parade

By ARLnow.com

The first (annual?) Clarendon St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Barton St.

Homegrown floats will roll down the parade route towards the Clarendon Metro station, accompanied by people in costume. Expect plenty of green beads to be thrown to the crowd lining Wilson Blvd.

No word yet on whether organizers will also be distributing purple and yellow beads. The St. Patrick’s Day parade was created as a substitute for the annual Mardi Gras parade, which was canceled this year due to snow.

Clarendon To Hold St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By ARLnow.com

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.

The official details are yet to be announced, but we’re told to expect homegrown floats, people in costumes, and marchers from various local organizations. We’re also told that this may turn into an annual event, if it proves to be successful.

To Do Tonight: Celebrate Fat Tuesday

By ARLnow.com

This year’s Clarendon Mardi Gras parade, scheduled for today, was canceled due to complications caused by last week’s snow storms. But worry not, Fat Tuesday partying will still go on.

Ragtime Restaurant in Courthouse is the place to be tonight for the food, drinks and music of New Orleans. Ragtime is offering an expanded Cajun menu, including fried oysters, shrimp and crawfish. That’s in addition to the usual Tuesday raw bar special.

The food may be tempting, but it’s not Fat Tuesday without some festive drink specials. Two beers from Louisiana brewery Abita are on special tonight: Abita Turbo Dog is on tap for $3, and Abita Purple Haze bottles are $3.50. Ragtime is also offering $6.50 Hurricanes and Cyclones.

The food and drinks will be complimented by live music. Arlington’s Brother Shamus will play from 6 to 9. Local New Orleans-style jazz band Le Bon Temps Krewe takes the stage from 9-11.

A $3 cover will be charged after 9:00.