Beach bars host St. Patrick's Day weekend parties, kick off the season

Nightclubs and eateries throughout Delmarva will be packed on Saturday, March 17, due to one of the biggest party celebrations of the year — St. Patrick’s Day. The weekend will also see the openings of many seasonal businesses.

Last week, we teased the Thursday, March 15 season opening of The Starboard in Dewey Beach (with music by Laura Lea & Tripp Fabulous at 10 p.m.). A pair of afternoon acoustic shindigs are planned for the weekend. Kristen Kwolek & Johnny Phatt will play 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, followed by Bryen O’Boyle from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 18.

Dewey’s nearby Rusty Rudder has been featuring sporadic concerts and events in its bar section recently, but will officially open its restaurant this weekend. Blue Label will play at 9:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, Love Seed Mama Jump will play at 2 p.m. followed by The Rockets at 3 p.m., with both bands continuing to alternate sets for the rest of the day and evening.

Seacrets in OC will host its annual Irie-ish Music Fest on Saturday. The festivities kick off at noon with DJs Magellan and JJ Roth, followed by Lima Bean Riot (1 p.m.); Flip-N-Monkeys (1:30 p.m.); Ocean City Pipes & Drums (4 p.m.); the Jim Long Band and Jon Maurer (5 p.m.); Shake, Shake, Shake (6 p.m.); Flowers for Taco (9:30 p.m.) and Gypsy Wisdom (10 p.m.).

Trader Lee’s in West Ocean City has a free rock concert set for 8 p.m. Saturday. Nashville-based touring quartet The Georgia Flood will play music from its “People Like Ourselves” album, which blends rootsy soul, indie-rock and other styles.

Of course, it goes without saying that many Irish-themed businesses will feature traditional Celtic music this weekend. Check out the Going Out bar and music listings to see which acts are playing at watering holes such as Shenanigan’s Irish Pub in Ocean City, the Irish Eyes locations in Lewes and Milton, and more.

Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

More:Going Out: Ocean City, Delaware beach music listings March 15-22

More:Ocean City visitors tried to drive on the beach. It didn't end well

More:There's more to St. Patrick's Day than green beer: Russo

This week’s must-see list

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations throughout Delmarva on Saturday, March 17

Irie-ish Music Fest at Seacrets in Ocean City from noon to 2 a.m., Saturday, March 17. Free

The Georgia Flood at Trader Lee’s in West Ocean City at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 17. Free

Sam Grow at the Cowboy Coast Saloon in Ocean City at 10 p.m., Saturday, March 17. $5

Bryen O’Boyle at The Starboard in Dewey Beach from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 18. Free