Brunswick's own version of a St. Patrick's celebration will take place Saturday, March 13 at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick. It will feature a parade down Newcastle Street, beer, bratwurst and live music -- all to benefit Signature Squares Brunswick.The event, called "Slainte!" (pronounced "slawn cha") is Gaelic for "Cheers." A departure from Signature Squares' traditional fundraiser, The Oglethorpe Ball, Slainte promises to be a lighthearted blending of a European beer garden and old-fashioned Irish fun celebrating St. Patrick's Day with family and friends.
Unlike many other coastal cities, Brunswick never had an enclave of Irish settlers along its waterfront. That aside, St. Patrick's Day provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the heritage of our coastal city by bringing the community together for an outdoor party.
Slainte will begin at 6:00 pm in front of Old City Hall at the south end of Newcastle Street. Parade participants, comprising a varied swath of community groups, families and kids, will be given kazoos to help keep the rhythm flowing. There may even be a leprechaun to incite merriment among the crowd.
The main event begins at 6:30 pm and will include beer, brats (bratwurst) and local band The Wharfratz, performing your favorite Irish, folk, pop and other tunes. Participants are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets for this outdoor event.
Five "gold coin tickets" will be hidden in various downtown Brunswick shops. During First Friday on March 5, participants can try their luck at finding the tickets, at The Fourth of May Cafe, Ned Cash Jewelers, Hattie's Book Shop, True Vine Wines and Indigo Coastal Shanty. "Patty the Leprechaun" will announced the winners during a live radio broadcast from Newcastle Street between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
Slainte is the primary fundraiser for Signature Squares Brunswick, which hopes to raise $20,000 to support continued restoration of Brunswick's 14 historic squares. Tickets to the event can be purchased at the live radio remote or at the event. For more information, contact Julie Hunter Martin at 912-258-1588.
Signature Squares Brunswick is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the parks and squares within the Historic District of the City of Brunswick. Since 2004, Signature Squares, in cooperation with the City of Brunswick, has overseen the restoration of Hanover Square, at the south end of Newcastle Street, and Jekyll Square, on Newcastle Street between Gloucester and Monck Streets. For more information, visit them online.
