Hamlin St. Patrick’s Day block party gets green light

Horizon West residents: Get ready to don your green or be pinched — the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Hamlin is back.

COVID-19 canceled most festivities honoring the Irish culture last spring, so Hamlin representatives are looking forward to entertaining the community with a family-friendly day of shenanigans on Sunday, March 14.

Heather Easterling, events and public relations coordinator for Boyd Development Corporation, said the team is following all Orange County safety guidelines. That includes social distancing, availability of hand sanitizer, limiting crowds, keeping everything clean and having people wear masks.  

“We are extra excited,” Easterling said. “We are just excited to be able to provide a safe environment with our amazing view in the heart of the Hamlin town center. We’re excited to have everyone out here and enjoy a festive afternoon to make memories. St. Patrick’s Day is a fun one.”

Admission is free, and there will be plenty of activities and entertainment for attendees to enjoy. That includes live music, Irish dancers, bagpipers and, of course, food and beverages.

“I think probably my favorite part is all of the live entertainment we’re going to have,” Easterling said. “We’ll have The Down Brothers there, we’ll have Dublin Beat — a Celtic-inspired folk music band — and we’ll have Irish Echoes returning, which are the dancers.”

Dublin Beat combines sing-along pub classics, traditional folk songs and Ireland’s best pop hits. The Irish Echoes, from Central Florida Irish Dancers, will be performing to songs from “Riverdance,” “Lord of the Dance” and traditional Irish. They’ll also be interacting with guests and teaching Ceili dances and Riverdance.

“The Irish dancers will offer some lessons right there by the stage if the kids want to go up there to learn a little dance very quickly,” Easterling said. “It’s really cute.”

Rosie O’Grady’s Highlanders Pipes and Drums will perform, as well.