Are you feelin’ lucky? O’Neill’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is back

O’NEILL, Neb. (KLKN) — O’Neill, proclaimed the ‘Irish Capital of Nebraska‘ in 1969, kicks off its annual St. Patrick’s Celebration today.

This year’s celebration is making up for 2020’s cancellation due to COVID-19 with bigger and safer events.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the city of O’Neill doubles in size as tourists from across the nation join in on the fun. A big draw is the world’s largest shamrock, located at the center of the town, a permanent fixture since the early ’90s.

The five-day-long celebration is seen as a tribute to O’Neill’s roots, a city founded by an Irish native.

For more information on the 2021 St. Patrick’s Celebration, visit oneillchhamber.com/2021-st-patricks-celebration.

Check out a full list of events below:

• Wednesday, March 17th
  • 5:00 pm – Irish Chug Run Registration at Holt County Grill (event begins at 6:00 pm)
  • 5:30 pm – Irish Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony at the corner of 4th and Douglas (If raining/snowing, the ceremony will be moved indoors at Chesterfield West.)
  • 7:00 pm – Pulled Pork Free Will Donation Feed at Chesterfields
  • 8:00 pm to Midnight – Ben Grinnet at Chesterfields
• Thursday, March 18th
  • Karaoke at the Good Timin’ Bar
• Friday, March 19th
  • 4:30 pm – Greening of the pond at the Gil Poese Recreation Area in Carney Park courtesy of the O’Neill Firefighters and O’Neill’s Fenian Army
  • 5:00 to 7:00 pm – Fish Fry at the Knights of Columbus Hall
  • 6:00 pm – Painting of the World’s Largest Shamrock
  • 6:00 pm – The O’Neill Assembly of God Youth will have a snack stand near the shamrock during the painting
  • 6:30 pm – Dodgeball Tournament at the Christ Connection Center (’38 Building)
  • 7:00 pm – Painting or the Green Horse at Emme’s Shop (49186 Oliver Road, O’Neill, NE)
  • 8:00 pm to 1:00 am – Mason Michaels and Backroad Spirit at Chesterfields
  • Karaoke at the Good Timin’ Bar
  • The party trolley will be running Friday & Saturday nights!
    • Call for a ride: 402.340.9909
• Saturday, March 20th
  • ​8:00 am to 9:30 am – Shamrock Fun Run Late registration at St. Mary’s High School at 4th and Adams Streets
  • 10:00 am – Shamrock Fun Run Start, sponsored by the O’Neill Rotary Club
  • 11:00 am – Bank First Popcorn stand at the corner of 4th and Douglas Streets
  • 11:30 am – Omaha Pipes and Drums Performance on the World’s Largest Shamrock
  • 11:30 am – O’Neill Irish Dancers Alumni will perform on the shamrock following the Omaha Pipes and Drums Performance
  • 12:30 pm – Introduction of the Parade Grand Marshal and the Irish King and Queen
  • 1:00 pm – Grand Parade in Downtown O’Neill (Parade Entry Form)
  • 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Kid’s Carnival sponsored by the CLASS Group at the Christ Connection Center (’38 Building)
  • 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Kids Carnival sponsored by the CLASS group at the Christ Connection Center (’38 building)
  • 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Craft Beer & Irish Whiskey Tasting at Holt County Grill (age 21+)
  • 2:30 pm – St. Patrick’s Day Cornhole Tournament Registration at the Knights of Columbus Hall
    • Call: +1-402-860-3124 to register
  • 3:00 pm – St. Patrick’s Day Cornhole Tournament
  • 8:00 pm to 1:00 am – Mason Michaels and Backroad Spirit at Chesterfields
  • The party trolley will be running Friday & Saturday nights!
    • Call for a ride: 402.340.9909
• Sunday, March 21st
  • 9:00 am to 1:00 pm – “Recovery Sunday” at Handlebend Tap (215 E. Douglas)