How to get on the St. Paddy’s wagon

Joe Delaney

Friday, March 14, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

One hotel, Fitzgerald's on Fremont Street, has given its patrons the opportunity to indulge their Irishness since this past Monday. The observance includes tasty Irish food and beverages and authentic entertainment from Erin. There are also numerous daily drawings, an opportunity to go home with a quarter million dollars and, of course, plenty of green beer and green popcorn.

Those visiting Fitzgerald's can receive a complimentary caricature from the artist Ron Beasley. There will be poster signings by the Miller Girls. Molly Fitzgerald will give you a "dusting for luck," and those inclined can receive a green carnation for a $1 donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Sons of Erin was formed nearly three decades ago when a group of Vegans, proud of their Irish descent, formed the Sons at Skinny Dugan's Pub on West Charleston Boulevard. The action was moved to Bill and Chow McGarry's Quorum Club in the old Mansion Manor, now a parking lot adjacent to Debbie Reynolds Hotel. The Daughters of Erin came later. Both groups do outstanding work with seniors and children in need throughout the year.

The annual Sons and Daughters of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. Monday on Las Vegas Boulevard South at Gass Avenue, proceed north on Las Vegas Boulevard to Fremont Street, turn left to Seventh, then south two blocks, disband and head for the group's annual block party in the Maxim's west parking lot, which also has a 10 a.m. start.

Saturday will be another big day with a Sons of Erin golf tournament at the Los Prados Golf course in the morning and the annual St. Patrick's Dinner-Dance that evening at the Maxim.

Brendan Boyer & the Irish Show Band are performing at the Orleans hotel-casino, afternoons through St. Patrick's Day. They will also be in the parade and performing at the block party on Monday. Dave Coady's Irish Express are at the Stardust, and Jimmy Conway, formerly with the Irish Show Band, will be at the Maxim.

The Radiators and the Ruffnecks will perform at a St. Patrick's Night Party at The Joint in the Hard Rock hotel-casino (693-5000), starting at 8.

The Paddy Noonan Irish Variety Show will perform in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall at 8 p.m. Wednesday with an all-star cast, including top singer Red Hurley and brilliant comedian Noel V. Ginnity. Tickets are modestly priced ($18.50 and $21.50) and we can personally guarantee you a fine Irish hooley of a time. Call 895-3801.

After one year's absence, yours truly will return as St. Patrick in the parade on the float with the huge Celtic cross. If you wave to St. Patrick next Monday, I promise you he will wave back and wish you a happy St. Patrick's Day, throwing in an "Erin go bragh" for good measure.