Last March, revelers from throughout the Valley gathered to celebrate at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire in Phoenix, the Kilt Run in Glendale and the Fountain Hills Irish Fountain Fest.

This year, none of those things is happening thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one popular tradition and maybe be present for the start of a new one.

On March 17, the Fountain Hills fountain will be dyed green and illuminated at night, and the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library in downtown Phoenix will light up green. Remember to wear masks and keep your distance if you choose to head out to see these in person.

Dig in: Here are 12 restaurants for St. Patrick’s Day takeout in metro Phoenix

Greening of the Fountain

Fountain Hills’ annual tradition started with a bet made in 1979 among a group of residents who sought to turn the fountain green for St. Patrick’s Day. Whoever didn’t show up for the prank would be out $250, according to the Fountain Hills Historians Facebook page.

Every year, 55 gallons of green dye is added to the town’s namesake fountain in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The 560-foot-high water jets can still be enjoyed at night when an LED system shines a green light on the emerald-colored fountain.

If you can’t make it to Fountain Park, don’t fret. You can watch from home via the livestream at https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/fountain.

“The town recommends enjoying the display from the safety of a car, home or community in a safe manner,” a press release reads. “Residents and visitors are encouraged to wear protective masks around others.”

Details: Noon and 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-816-5100, https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/fountain.

Staying in? Here are ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at home in 2021

Irish Cultural Center will light up green

The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library in Phoenix will light up green for the first time as part of Tourism Ireland’s annual Global Greening, which sees the world’s most famous sites — such as the Sydney Opera House, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in California, the London Eye and Niagara Falls — turn green for St. Patrick’s Day.

Details: Through the night, beginning around sundown on Wednesday, March 17. 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-258-0109, https://www.azirish.org.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/holidays/2021/03/09/st-patricks-day-2021-phoenix-events/6889056002/