Not to be a green horn, St. Patrick’s Day festivities are a mixture of the tried and true blue, and a different twist on the holiday.
You can carry forward that holiday fun from Friday, by coming for the 3 p.m. Saturday St. Patrick’s parade in downtown Roberts, then staying for the free corn beef and cabbage (and free hot dogs for kids), and a pair of bands at the venue of the parade sponsor, Bobtown Brewhouse. There also are specials on six of their unique craft beers that are provided in-house.
Mike, the proprietor at Bobtown, who given his own special twist to St. Patrick’s Day, such as offering some stuff for free that usually would cost you at least several bucks, has taken over the reins of the longtime parade for the second year. It had been run for years by Roberts resident Marilyn Delander. Now, Bobtown has decided to throw an after-parade party as well.
After the floats flow through the main drag, the acoustic guitars — and accompanying on-stage banter — take over with the musical offerings at the nearby sponsor, having the Hunyuks playing at 3:30 p.m. and the Chimney Fish at 8.
Chimney Fish, a local favorite, consists of the duo guitar playing of Jeb Sears and Jim Hanvelt, who have developed a unique style of playing that Jim prefers to call “Slap Acoustic,” combining slap bass technique on an acoustic guitar.
Jim’s bands have acoustically rocked the music scene playing shows in western Wisconsin, Minnesota and even Nashville. After meeting up with Jeb at a series of open jam sessions, they several years ago decided it was time for Chimney Fish. They present a humorous twist to their shows, which is demonstrated by their original song Ode An Jagermeister and also the slogan “Smoke like a chimney, drink like a fish.” This is carried forward by a comedic online cartoon accompanying their bio of a big, puffy fish taking a great big puff.
The Hunyuks was formed more than a decade ago and the members say their name can be playfully translated as “northern rednecks.” Teaming up with Bill Gnatzig is fellow guitarist Denny Thorsen of Roberts. They play a mix of “county classic hits and humor suited to all ages,” and together they add that their guitar styles, vocal qualities and wit on stage seem to be a perfect blend.
Staples are Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, some old fun Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings and occasionally ‘50s and ‘60s rock.
Having a year of parade experience under Mike’s belt, those creatively-named, Bobtown craft beers will be on special, too. They are the Lead off Runner Cream Ale, Screamin’ Laurie Blonde Ale, Rally Ale Kentucky Common, North Shore Nut Brown Ale, Without a Doubt Oatmeal Stout, and Missed Red IPA.
For more information, contact Bobtown at (715) 338-1046.
— Green Mill is again wishing Luck ‘O The Green, and Get Your St. Pat-O-Pazoola Green On — with Shamrock figures interjected — from March 13-19. There is traditional mulligan stew with special seasonings and beef and four kinds of vegies, Rueben sandwich and also their cream-based Rueben soup, and of course, corned beef and cabbage (of the likes of Dublin, they claim), and that’s just the eats. There also are leprechaun jello shots, Jameson shooters, and three specialty drinks, Irish Flag, Irish Gold and Shamrock-Tini, which are heavy on ingredients that include Grand Mariner, the aforementioned Jameson and obviously the very Irish Baileys. The Shamrock-Tini even features a chocolate-rimmed martini glass over Bailey’s/Absolute vanilla.
— This just might be Seventh Heaven!
If you think its standard Irish fare, you’re full of blarney, as the blarney burger has an established track record during the recently celebrated seven years of business at Seasons Tavern, starting with a seven-ounce hamburger patty (not paddy), plus corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and 1000 Island dressing, on an egg-washed bun. That means lots of two kinds of meat, despite the lingering presence, especially this year, of Lenten Fridays, and with all those other ingredients, it’s great tasting, Season’s owner Brad says. (Actually, the blarney burger will be available through the end of March, and not for a pot ‘o gold). Not to mention that they offer corned beef and cabbage on both this Friday and Saturday.
— The Strangers, being longtime largely local folk, are no stranger to The Willow River Saloon or to St. Patrick’s Day performances. Join them on St. Patrick’s Eve, and also munch on some corned beef and cabbage, as you likely are no stranger to that either. Then come back on Saturday for Rock Brigade, a tribute group that also features the music of some bands from The United Kingdom.
— And don’t forget the North Hudson pub crawl on Friday starting at 6 p.m. from the northern part of the village. Done much like Northern Ireland?